Ronaldo's elbow on Irish star could lead to World Cup suspension

Cristiano Ronaldo is in danger of missing the opening matches of the 2026 World Cup after being sent off during Portugal's 2-0 qualifying defeat to Ireland. The Portuguese captain received his first-ever international red card for elbowing defender Dara O'Shea, a decision confirmed by a VAR review.

Ronaldo will serve a mandatory one-match ban, ruling him out of the final qualifier against Armenia. However, the suspension could be extended. For violent conduct, FIFA regulations suggest a minimum three-match ban. If Portugal qualifies directly and he receives a longer suspension, it would carry over to the World Cup group stage, jeopardizing his participation in the tournament's initial phase. The final length of the ban will be determined by FIFA's Disciplinary Committee.