Cristiano Ronaldo has officially been cleared to participate in Portugal’s opening match at the 2026 World Cup, despite receiving a red card earlier in the qualifying campaign. The decision ends weeks of speculation about whether the Portuguese captain would face a lengthy suspension ahead of what may be his final World Cup appearance.

The 40-year-old forward was sent off after an incident involving Republic of Ireland defender Dara O’Shea during Portugal’s 2–0 defeat earlier in November. The referee issued a straight red after determining that Ronaldo elbowed O’Shea in the back while challenging for a ball — an offense normally classified as violent conduct.

Under standard disciplinary rules, violent conduct typically results in a three-match ban. However, after reviewing the situation, disciplinary officials opted to suspend the second and third games of the suspension for one year. This means Ronaldo only served a one-match ban, which he completed during Portugal’s fixture against Armenia on 16 November.

Reports indicate that several factors played in Ronaldo’s favor, including his extraordinary disciplinary record. In 226 international appearances, this was his first career red card for Portugal, a detail that significantly influenced the final ruling. Additionally, his status as a long-serving national icon and his conduct during the disciplinary process were reportedly considered.

A statement from FIFA explained the ruling further:
If Cristiano Ronaldo commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension will be automatically reinstated and the remaining two matches must be served immediately.

Despite the controversy, Ronaldo’s contributions during the qualifying stage remain vital. He scored five goals, helping Portugal top Group F and secure a place in what will be their seventh consecutive World Cup appearance.

All 48 participating nations will discover their group-stage opponents during the official World Cup draw, which will be broadcast live on the BBC on Friday, 5 December. With Ronaldo cleared to play, fans around the world eagerly await what could be one more historic chapter in the career of one of football’s greatest players.