Precedents suggest Cristiano Ronaldo could face a major 2026 World Cup headache
Past suspensions for violent fouls raise the risk Ronaldo could miss key matches at the 2026 World Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo is in serious trouble. His straight red card against Ireland, complete with dramatic theatrics, came after an elbow to the back of defender Dara O’Shea and could carry a heavy price. The Portuguese forward now faces the possibility of a major suspension, threatening his availability for the 2026 World Cup, if Portugal even secures qualification by beating Armenia this Sunday at Do Dragao Stadium in Porto.
This sudden setback guarantees Cristiano will miss the match against Armenia and could also endanger his participation in the group stage of the World Cup.
Past precedents do not favor him. FIFA typically hands down a two-match ban for serious foul play, as outlined in Article 14.1, Section e, of the Disciplinary Code. That rule covers overly aggressive challenges and contests for the ball.
Past examples suggest trouble
Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni experienced a similar fate with France. After receiving a straight red card against Iceland in September, he missed the following two matches for Les Bleus, one due to the sending-off and the other because the action was classified as serious foul play.
Another similar case involved Turkish player Barış Alper Yılmaz, who was sent off against Georgia and consequently missed matches against Spain and Bulgaria.
Violent conduct could escalate the punishment
Ronaldo¡s situation could be even more severe. The elbow could be classified as violent conduct under FIFA rules. Article 14.1, sections h and i, specifies:
- h) At least three matches for violent conduct.
- i) At least three matches or an appropriate time period for assault, including elbows, punches, kicks, bites, spitting, or any attack on a player or non-referee.
Since Cristiano struck the Irish defender with his elbow, he could face a three-match ban, potentially causing him to miss Portugal’s first two World Cup games. Earlier this season, FIFA handed Armenian international Tigran Barseghyan a three-match suspension for a minor headbutt on a Northern Ireland player, signaling a worrying precedent for Ronaldo.
What this means for Portugal
At best, Cristiano will miss only the Armenia match. If FIFA extends his suspension, it would carry into the World Cup group stage, provided Portugal qualifies. One certainty is that any ban must be served in official matches, not friendlies.
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