Cristiano Ronaldo has officially been cleared to participate in Portugal’s opening matches at the 2026 World Cup, delivering a major boost to the national team and ending days of uncertainty surrounding the superstar’s availability.
The decision follows FIFA’s ruling to partially suspend the three-match ban he received after being sent off during a qualifier against the Republic of Ireland.
Ronaldo, who was shown a red card after a VAR review deemed that he elbowed defender Dara O’Shea, had initially faced the possibility of missing two crucial group-stage fixtures. The incident was widely debated across the football community, especially because it marked the first red card of his long and distinguished international career.
After reviewing the disciplinary reports and evaluating his conduct record, FIFA decided to allow the 40-year-old forward to feature from the opening match of the tournament.
A FIFA statement explained that the disciplinary panel applied Article 27 of the organization’s code, which permits full or partial suspension of a ban depending on the circumstances. The ruling states that Ronaldo will only serve one match of the original suspension, a game he has already missed in Portugal’s final qualifier, while the remaining two matches are suspended under a one-year probation period.
If he commits no similar offense within that period, the provisional suspension will be cancelled.
The governing body said the decision was influenced by the player’s exemplary disciplinary history for his national team. Officials noted that Ronaldo’s 226 appearances without a prior dismissal demonstrated a long-standing pattern of fair play that weighed significantly during deliberations.
A member of the disciplinary committee was quoted as saying the ruling reflected “a balanced assessment of both the infraction and the player’s long-standing record.”
Portugal head coach Roberto Martínez strongly defended his captain in the aftermath of the incident and welcomed FIFA’s decision with visible relief. Speaking earlier about the red card, Martínez had said, “He has never been sent off before in 226 games, and that deserves credit. It was an emotional moment that happened in a split second, not a reflection of his character or leadership.”
His trust in Ronaldo’s professionalism is one of the reasons he had remained confident that the striker would be available when it mattered most.
Ronaldo himself has maintained his focus on preparing for what will be his sixth World Cup, an extraordinary milestone that underscores his longevity at the elite level. Sources close to the player say he has been training with intensity, viewing the 2026 tournament as potentially the final chance to lift the only major trophy that has eluded him.
Those near him said he considered the red card “an unfortunate moment” and was determined not to let it overshadow his goal of helping Portugal contend for the title.
At 40 and currently playing his club football with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo remains one of Portugal’s most influential figures. Despite the presence of emerging stars within the squad, his leadership and experience continue to be central to the team’s ambitions.
The clearance ensures that Portugal enters the tournament with its full attacking setup intact, avoiding the setback that a full ban would have created.