Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo leaves the field after receiving a red card during a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Ireland on Thursday in Dublin. Photo by Jose Sena Goulao/EPA
Cristiano Ronaldo is at risk of being banned for at least one 2026 World Cup game after receiving the first red card of his international career.
The star forward received the red card in the 61st minute of Portugal’s 2-0 loss to Ireland in a World Cup qualifier Thursday in Dublin.
Ronaldo was sent off for elbowing Ireland defender Dara O’Shea. He was initially given a yellow card before officials used the video assistant referee to review the infraction, resulting in an upgrade to the red card.
“It is just a captain that has never been sent off before in 226 games — I think that just deserves credit — and [Thursday], I thought it was a bit harsh because he cares about the team,” Portugal coach Roberto Martinez told reporters when asked about Ronaldo.
Ronaldo now must serve a mandatory one-game suspension when Portugal host Armenia on Sunday in Porto. Portugal can secure a spot in the World Cup with a victory. They could still qualify with a loss or draw, but would need several other scenarios to play out to ensure qualification.
However, they could be without Ronaldo for several more games, contingent on a review by FIFA officials. FIFA’s disciplinary code states that players and officials should be suspended at least three matches for violent conduct or for at “least three matches or an appropriate period of time for assault, including elbowing, punching, kicking, biting, spitting or hitting an opponent or a person other than a match official.”
Such a ban could not be served in pre-tournament exhibitions.
“I think the action looks worse than what it actually is, I don’t think it’s an elbow, I think it’s a full body, but from where the camera is, it looks like an elbow,” Martinez said of Ronaldo’s foul. “But we accept it.”
Portugal (3-1-1), who leads Group F will host last place Armenia (1-4) at 9 a.m. EST Sunday at the Estadio do Dragao. Hungary (2-1-2) sits in second place, just ahead of third-place Ireland (2-2-1).
Group stage play for the 2026 World Cup will start June 11.
