Cristiano Ronaldo will be able to play for Portugal in their opening match at next summer’s World Cup finals, despite his red card against the Republic of Ireland.
The 40-year-old Ronaldo was sent off for elbowing Dara O’Shea in the back during Portugal’s 2-0 qualifying defeat earlier this month.
Violent conduct usually carries a three-match ban, but Ronaldo’s second and third match suspensions were suspended for one year.
A FIFA statement read: “If Cristiano Ronaldo commits another offense of a similar nature and seriousness during the probationary period, the suspension stipulated in the disciplinary decision will be automatically revoked, and the remaining two matches will be served immediately.”
Ronaldo missed the match against Armenia on November 16, the final game of the European qualifiers, and therefore will not miss any matches in the United States next summer.
Ronaldo will find out his first opponent with Portugal in the World Cup on Friday, December 5, when the draw for the 2026 World Cup takes place in Washington, D.C.
