CR7 could play only one match at the 2026 World Cup

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·16. November 2025

CR7 could play only one match at the 2026 World Cup

CR7 risks playing only one match at the 2026 World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo could be facing a very unusual—and very brief—World Cup. The Portuguese striker, who has confirmed that 2026 will be his last World Cup appearance, is at risk of missing the first two matches of the tournament.

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It all started with his sending off against Ireland—the first red card of his international career in 226 appearances. His initial foul, a yellow, was upgraded to a red for an elbow on Dara O’Shea. He’s already certain to miss the decisive clash against Armenia.

Look at Ronaldo’s shirt, this is a clear foul. He was just trying to shake off. What a shame, never a red card..
– Freitag, 14. November 2025

But the punishment could get even tougher. According to FIFA’s disciplinary rules, any action deemed “violent conduct” carries a minimum two-match suspension, and anything seen as “assault” can mean up to three games out. If the ban stands, Ronaldo would start the World Cup... in the stands. And if Portugal crash out in the group stage, he could play just one match—or none at all.

🚨The Portuguese Football Federation, led by its president is convinced that these arguments are sufficient and more than enough to persuade FIFA that Cristiano Ronaldo does not deserve a suspension of more than one match.
– Sonntag, 16. November 2025