Every football fan is eagerly awaiting what may be Cristiano Ronaldo’s (40) final World Cup appearance. But his latest actions during the 2026 North-Central America World Cup qualifiers have cast a dark shadow over that dream. Ronaldo’s straight red card against Ireland is now raising serious questions—not only about missing a qualifier, but potentially the group-stage opener of the World Cup itself. Let’s break down why the situation is so serious and what it could mean for Portugal.
A Serious Incident: More Than a Simple Yellow
In an away match against Ireland, Ronaldo swung his elbow at defender Dara O’Shea and was sent off. The referee initially showed a yellow card, but VAR upgraded the decision to a straight red.
A Historic First Red Card in National Colors
Although Ronaldo has been sent off 13 times at the club level, this was his first-ever red card in 226 appearances for Portugal. That alone highlights both the emotional state he was in and the severity of the incident. More importantly, FIFA’s disciplinary rules leave the door open for additional match bans beyond the automatic one-game suspension.
FIFA Regulations: The Weight of an “Elbow Strike”
Here’s the critical part:
Under FIFA regulations, “violent conduct,” including an elbow to an opponent, carries a minimum suspension of three matches (including the automatic one-game ban). If FIFA classifies Ronaldo’s action as violent conduct rather than a reckless challenge, he could face two additional matches on top of the one already confirmed.
A Risk of Missing His Final World Cup Kickoff
If Portugal qualifies directly as the top team in Group F, and if FIFA upholds a three-match ban, Ronaldo will miss:
- The final qualifier against Armenia (automatic suspension)
- The first match of the 2026 World Cup group stage
- The second match of the group stage
Missing two group-stage games could dramatically affect Portugal. The early matches often determine momentum and the path to the round of 16. With Ronaldo holding the all-time international goalscoring record (143 goals), his absence would be a huge blow.
For a player who publicly declared, “This will be my last World Cup,” missing the opening matches would be a heartbreaking way to begin his final tournament.
If Portugal Falls to the Playoffs: An Even Bigger Threat
Should Portugal fail to finish first and be pushed into the European playoffs, the scenario becomes even more dangerous.
Suspensions don’t apply to friendlies—
but they do apply to playoff matches, which determine World Cup qualification. In a single-match playoff format, missing a star like Ronaldo could jeopardize Portugal’s World Cup ticket altogether.
A 40-Year-Old Ronaldo and the Burden of His “Troublemaker” Image
Ronaldo is undeniably one of the greatest players ever. Yet emotional outbursts and controversies continue to follow him, even at 40. This elbow incident suggests that he still struggles to maintain composure under pressure.
Leadership Under Scrutiny
As captain and the face of Portuguese football, Ronaldo’s behavior carries added weight. When calm leadership was needed, he instead placed the team in a difficult position. Despite five World Cup appearances, he has never lifted the trophy—the 2006 semifinal remains his best result. The idea that his final attempt might be derailed by personal misconduct is a bitter reality for both himself and Portugal.
Awaiting FIFA’s Decision—and Portugal’s Response
All eyes now turn to FIFA’s disciplinary ruling. The Portuguese Football Federation will likely act to minimize the punishment, but the rules are clear. Portugal must prepare for the worst-case scenario, devising tactics and identifying replacements to compensate for his absence.
Ironically, facing the situation without Ronaldo may help Portugal develop into a more resilient team—focused not on individual glory, but on the ultimate goal: winning the World Cup.