Cristiano Ronaldo, the legendary forward of Portugal, has been given the green light to participate in the opening games of the 2026 FIFA world cup, as a result of a disciplinary decision provided by FIFA, the world football governing organization, on Tuesday. This move follows the red card which Ronaldo received earlier this month, the first time in 226 international appearances the striker had been dismissed.
The incident occurred when Portugal was beaten 2-0 by Ireland in Dublin where the 40 year old striker was sent off after he had been found to have elbowed defender Dara O’Shea. After an investigation, FIFA stated that he would be suspended three matches, but two have been officially suspended and the initial one was deemed served when Portugal won the qualification to the world cup against Armenia.
Ronaldo is now subjected to one year probation as perArticle 27 disciplinary provisions of FIFA. In case of another offence with the same nature and gravity by the Portuguese captain, the automatic activation of suspended matches will mean that he will miss the next official games of Portugal.
Ronaldo, the most international goal-scorer in the world at 143, is aiming to have his sixth world cup appearance. The 2026 tournament, to be hosted in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, can be the last chance to win the trophy that has eluded him in his illustrious career. Although his unparalleled victories, such as the title of the 2016 Euro, rendered it impossible to raise a World Cup, this is the only thing that is missing in his resume.
Off the field, Ronaldo recently hit the headlines after having attended a personal dinner with U.S. President Donald Trump in the White House, where he said that his son, Barron, was a huge fan of the football star.
The tournament preparations will continue to increase in the coming week and the draw of the world cup will be on December 5 in Washington at the John F. Kennedy Center. Trump will be part of FIFA President Gianni Infantino in deciding the group-stage matches. FIFA has termed the extended 104-match game as a show that is likened to holding 104 Super Bowls.
