Cristiano Ronaldo may miss the first two matches of the 2026 World Cup, a concerning scenario given that he has confirmed this will be his last tournament. He received a red card during the match against Ireland—the first of his international career in 226 appearances—after a yellow card was upgraded for elbowing Dara O’Shea. This means he is automatically suspended for the crucial match against Armenia. The situation could worsen, as FIFA’s disciplinary code includes at least a two-match suspension for “serious foul play” and three for “assault”, which can include elbowing, according to The Sun. If Portugal secures qualification this Sunday, Ronaldo would start the World Cup from the stands, with the possibility of playing only one match if the team does not advance from the group stage.
Roberto Martinez has already stated that Portugal will contest any attempt to increase the punishment, arguing that the initial decision is harsh: “Cristiano has never been sent off in 226 matches. It’s a bit tough. He spent nearly an hour being pulled and pushed. He was trying to break free, and the defender fell dramatically”. The incident has also reignited tensions with Ireland, with their coach Heimir Hallgrimsson, who had previously accused Ronaldo of “refereeing the match”, mentioning that Ronaldo confronted him as he left the field: “He congratulated me on putting pressure on the referee. It’s his action that cost him the red card, not mine”. If the suspension is increased, Ronaldo would also miss any potential playoffs in March, jeopardizing his final international journey.
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