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Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo is eligible to participate in the initial games of the 2026 World Cup after FIFA, the world football authority, imposed a “suspended” penalty on him on Tuesday following a red card.

Ronaldo passes the captain’s armband to Bernardo Silva following a red card in Portugal’s defeat against Ireland during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Republic of Ireland on November 13, 2025. Photo by Reuters.

The 40-year-old player received a red card when Portugal lost 2-0 in Dublin earlier this November after elbowing Dara O’Shea in the back, marking his first sending-off in 226 international matches.

FIFA suspended Ronaldo for three games, with two of them being postponed and one that has already been completed, as Portugal secured their spot in the upcoming summer competition.against Armenia.

“In accordance with article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the completion of the two remaining matches has been put on hold during a one-year probation period,” stated FIFA in a statement provided toAFP.

If Cristiano Ronaldo commits another violation of the same type and severity during the probationary period, the suspension outlined in the disciplinary decision will be automatically canceled, and the remaining two matches must be played immediately in the next official (Portugal) games.

Cristiano Ronaldo, the leading goal scorer for men’s international football with 143 goals, is hoping to participate in his sixth World Cup next summer, which will be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

The former player of Real Madrid and Manchester United, now playing for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, has not yet secured the trophy but was part of the team that won Euro 2016 with Portugal.

Ronaldo went to a dinner at the White House last week, where he met U.S. President Donald Trump, who mentioned that his son Barron is a big fan of the forward.

The initial round of the World Cup is scheduled for December 5th.