Cristiano Ronaldo faces extended World Cup ban: Portugal ace pays the penalty after Ireland red card

Robin Bairner

• 14 Nov 2025 03:30 CST
• 2 min read

Nieuws

Cristiano Ronaldo faces missing at least two matches at the 2026 World Cup should Portugal qualify for the competition after being sent-off against Ireland.

Roberto Martinez’s side were defeated 2-0 in Dublin thanks to a couple of goals from Troy Parrott. Victory would have secured their place in North America for next summer’s finals.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, allowed the frustration of the evening to get the better of him. With an hour gone, the 40-year-old Al-Nassr striker lashed out violently at Dara O’Shea after a coming together in the Ireland box. Initially booked for his outburst, he was subsequently dismissed after a VAR check that showed him elbow the Ipswich Town defender in the back.

As he trudged away, Ronaldo exchanged words with Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson.

"He complimented me for putting pressure on the referee," the former dentist said of the exchange, which ended in a handshake.

"It was his action on the pitch that cost him the red card. It had nothing to do with me - unless I got into his head."

Portugal boss Roberto Marinez was accepting of the decision but defensive of Ronaldo.

"The red card is just a captain that has never been sent off before in 226 games - I think that just deserves credit - and today, I thought it was a bit harsh because he cares about the team," said Martinez.

"He was 60 minutes or 58 minutes in the box being grabbed, being pulled, being pushed and obviously when he tries to get away from the defender.

"I think the action looks worse than what it actually is, I don't think it's an elbow, I think it's a full body, but from where the camera is, it looks like an elbow. But we accept it."

Will Ronaldo be suspended after being sent-off against Ireland?

Ronaldo’s actions are likely to see him miss the beginning of the World Cup, should Portugal seal their place on Sunday with a victory against Armenia.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker will be unable to take any part in that match, but the likelihood is that he is handed an extended ban by FIFA that will stretch for at least three matches.

FIFA’s disciplinary code states: “Players and officials shall be suspended for misconduct as specified below... at least three matches or an appropriate period of time for assault, including elbowing, punching, kicking, biting, spitting or hitting an opponent or a person other than a match official.”

If this applies to Ronaldo, which the video evidence would suggest it should, he will miss Portugal’s opening two World Cup matches should they automatically qualify. If they were to reach the finals via the play-offs, which would require an unlikely set of results, he would miss those matches.

A disciplinary committee will decide Ronaldo’s fate, but it appears probable that he will miss at least Portugal’s opening two matches at the 2026 World Cup.