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DUBLIN – Cristiano Ronaldo is in serious danger of being banned for the first game of the 2026 World Cup if Portugal qualify as expected.
The soccer superstar was sent off for laughing at Ireland defender Dara O’Shea in the second half of Thursday’s qualifying game as Portugal lost 2-0 in Dublin.
Ronaldo will serve the mandatory one-game ban for any red card when Portugal host Armenia on Sunday, knowing a win would secure a spot at the World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
FIFA’s disciplinary rules require its referees to impose bans “for serious foul play of at least two matches.”
The ban must be “at least three matches for violent conduct” or “at least three matches or a reasonable amount of time for assaults, including an axe.”
FIFA’s ban will apply to competitive games and cannot be served in pre-tournament exhibitions.
Ronaldo spun round and drove his right shoulder into O’Shea’s back as they waited for the ball to be crossed around the hour mark in Ireland’s 2-0 win over Ireland at the Iowa Stadium.
The referee issued a yellow card but changed it to red after a video review on the pitchside monitor minutes later.
Joked and mocked by Ireland fans, Ronaldo pursed his lips in an angry look as he left the field.
He paused and looked at the fans, extending his arms to them and giving them two thumbs up in an apparent mocking gesture.
Ronaldo, who turns 41 in February, is aiming to play in a record sixth World Cup tournament.
The draw for the tournament will be made on December 5 in Washington DC when Portugal, if it qualifies, will learn the schedule of three opponents in the group stage.
Ireland forward Troy Parrott scored twice in the first half on Thursday to revive the Irish’s hopes of qualification through the play-offs before potentially facing second-placed Hungary on Sunday.
Group F leads Portugal with 10 points, two ahead of Hungary. Ireland are third with seven points.
