Ronaldo risks a World Cup ban after a red card for elbowing the Irish defender in the qualifying match

Cristiano Ronaldo is at serious risk of being ruled out of the first match of the 2026 World Cup if Portugal qualify as expected.

The football superstar was sent off for elbowing Irish defender Dara O’Shea in the second half of a qualifying match in which Portugal lost 2-0 in Dublin on Thursday.

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

FIFA’s disciplinary rules require 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 for assault, including elbowing’. A FIFA ban would apply to competitive matches and could not be served in pre-tournament exhibitions.

Ronaldo turned and swung his right elbow into O’Shea’s back as the Portuguese players waited for the ball to be passed around the hour mark at the Aviva Stadium, with Ireland taking a surprise 2-0 lead.

The referee gave a yellow card, but minutes later it was upgraded to red after video control on the field monitor.

READ: Portugal manager Martinez says Ronaldo’s red card was harsh

Ronaldo curled his lips in a wry look as he left the pitch, booed and mocked by Irish fans.

He stopped and looked at the fans, clapping his hands at them and giving them two thumbs up in an apparently sarcastic gesture.

Ronaldo, who turns 41 in February, is aiming to play in a record sixth World Cup tournament.

The tournament draw is scheduled for December 5 in Washington DC, when Portugal, if it qualifies, will face the schedule of three group stage opponents.

Ireland forward Troy Parrott had scored twice in the first half on Thursday to revive Ireland’s hopes of qualification, likely via the play-offs, before facing second-placed Hungary on Sunday.

Portugal tops Group F with 10 points, two points ahead of Hungary. Ireland is third with seven points.

Published on November 14, 2025