Europe – In a European qualifier for the 2026 World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo received a red card in Portugal’s match against Ireland. This came after an unsportsmanlike challenge on defender Dara O’Shea. The dismissal was confirmed after a VAR review and a reassessment of the incident by the referee.
Gradually, the Portuguese football legend is facing a potential suspension for several matches due to his on-field disciplinary issues. According to FIFA’s disciplinary regulations:
A red card for violence or use of the elbow can result in a suspension of at least three matches.
Since Portugal has a final qualifying match against Armenia, the first part of the punishment will likely be served in that game. The remainder could be converted into matches within the World Cup itself, should Portugal qualify.
Why is this such a big blow?
Ronaldo will finally fulfill his dream of participating in the World Cup for the sixth time. However, any further delays mean he could miss crucial opening matches in the tournament.
The Portuguese national team relies heavily on his leadership experience. His absence, even for a short period, could weaken the coach’s options and alter the team’s dynamics.
Psychologically, a red card affects a player’s image in front of fans and the media. It can also affect his teammates’ confidence in him during crucial moments.
Portugal’s current position
Despite the 2-0 defeat to Ireland, Portugal still holds the automatic qualification spot in Group F. However, morale and pressure have increased, especially with the possibility of the team captain being absent during the crucial stages of the tournament.
Future forecasts
The referee’s report and the disciplinary memo will be reviewed by FIFA before the final penalty is issued in the coming weeks.
If the disciplinary committee decides to impose a three-match suspension, it will begin with the Armenia match in the qualifiers. This would be followed by a potential two-match suspension in the 2026 World Cup.
Ronaldo and Portugal need to work quickly to repair the image and focus on the final qualifying match to avoid a bigger morale setback.
