Ronaldo receives first red card in 22 years; risks ban at World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo is at serious risk of being banned for the first game of the 2026 World Cup if Portugal qualifies as expected.

The football superstar was sent off for the first time in 22 years for his country, for elbowing Ireland defender Dara O’Shea in the second half of a qualifying game on Thursday that Portugal lost 2-0 in Dublin.

Ronaldo will serve a mandatory one-game ban imposed for any red card when Portugal hosts Armenia on Sunday knowing a win will secure a place at the World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

FIFA disciplinary rules require its judges to impose a ban of “at least two matches for serious foul play.” The ban should be “at least three matches for violent conduct” or “at least three matches or an appropriate period of time for assault, including elbowing.” A FIFA ban would apply to competitive games and could not be served in pre-tournament exhibitions.

Ronaldo spun round and swung his right elbow into O’Shea’s back as Portugal players waited for the ball to be crossed around the hour mark at Aviva Stadium with Ireland holding a surprise 2-0 lead.

The referee issued a yellow card but minutes later upgraded it to red after a video review at the pitchside monitor.