Cristiano Ronaldo, captain of Portugal, has been cleared by FIFA to take part in his country’s opening matches at the 2026 World Cup.
Cristiano received a three-match ban following a red card in a qualifier against Ireland, where he elbowed Dara O’Shea. However, FIFA has suspended the final two games of that ban under a one-year probation, invoking Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code. He has already served one match of the suspension.
Under the terms of the probation, the remaining two suspended matches will only be enforced if Ronaldo commits a “similar nature and gravity” offense during the one-year period.
At age 40, Cristiano is now set to play in what could be his sixth World Cup, as Portugal pursue the only major trophy missing from his illustrious career.
