Portugal and Al-Nassr striker Cristiano Ronaldo faces the possibility of missing the start of the 2026 World Cup following his red card against Ireland on Thursday.
The former Real Madrid star was sent off after elbowing Dara O’Shea, with the dismissal confirmed following a VAR review.
Portugal struggled to respond at the Aviva Stadium, as Troy Parrott’s first-half brace put Ireland in control. Despite the setback, Portugal remain in a strong position to qualify from Group F, though the path has become more complicated. A home victory against Armenia would secure their qualification.
Ronaldo’s participation in upcoming matches now depends on the length of his suspension. Should he receive a ban exceeding one game, it could carry over to the group stage of the World Cup. For instance, a two-game ban would see him miss the Armenia qualifier and potentially the World Cup opener if Portugal qualify automatically. Alternatively, if Portugal falter against Armenia, the ban could apply to the first leg of a play-off.
