Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo’s hopes of finishing his international career on a high have hit an unexpected roadblock. Earlier this week, the 40-year-old forward revealed that next year’s World Cup would be his final major tournament. But that farewell may now begin on the sidelines, as he faces the prospect of missing the start of the competition following a red card received during Portugal’s latest qualifier.
One-match ban confirmed, but more could follow
Ronaldo’s dismissal automatically triggers a one-match suspension, ruling him out of Sunday’s crucial qualifier against Armenia — a match Portugal must win to secure direct qualification for the World Cup. However, the bigger concern lies in the likelihood of an extended ban. Incidents classified as violent conduct almost always carry additional punishment, and those matches must be served in competitive fixtures.
If Portugal secure the victory they need, their next competitive game will be their World Cup opener. If they unexpectedly drop into the play-offs, Ronaldo would be forced to sit out the semi-final and potentially the final.
How long could Ronaldo’s ban be?
The decision lies with Fifa’s disciplinary committee. In theory, they could choose not to extend the suspension beyond the mandatory one match, which would mean Ronaldo could start the World Cup with no further risk. But the Fifa disciplinary code clearly states that a red card for “assault, including elbowing, punching, kicking, biting, spitting or hitting an opponent” should carry a three-match ban.
If that guideline is applied strictly, Ronaldo would miss either Portugal’s first two World Cup group-stage games or — if Portugal go through play-offs — both play-off fixtures. However, Fifa’s approach on such matters is not always uniform.
A notable example came during the 2023 Women’s World Cup when England forward Lauren James received a two-match ban for stamping on Nigeria’s Michelle Alozie. The incident was considered individually, leading to a reduced suspension. Because every case is assessed independently, Ronaldo’s punishment may also vary between two and three matches.
Decision expected ahead of World Cup draw
There is no confirmed date for the committee’s ruling. Historically, after international windows, Fifa has tended to meet at the start of the following month. Based on that pattern, Ronaldo could learn his fate around early December, just as excitement builds toward the World Cup draw scheduled for 5 December.
Until then, Portugal — and fans worldwide — must wait to see if football’s biggest stage will begin without one of the sport’s most iconic players.
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