The 40-year-old Portugal star faced a potential three-match ban after being sent off via VAR for elbowing Ipswich defender Dara O’Shea. While he missed Portugal’s 9-1 qualification win over Armenia, any further suspension would have applied to their next competitive matches at the World Cup finals.
FIFA regulations typically call for a ban of “at least three matches” for assaults such as elbowing, punching, or hitting an opponent. However, the governing body’s disciplinary committee gave Ronaldo a reprieve. While a three-match suspension was confirmed, two of the matches were suspended, and the one already served counts toward the ban.
This means Ronaldo will only face the remainder of the suspension if he commits a similar offence during the World Cup.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who has declared the 2026 World Cup will be his last, will now compete in the tournament for a record-breaking sixth time, sharing the milestone with his longtime rival, Lionel Messi.
The Portuguese star has scored eight goals in his previous 22 matches, four behind Messi’s current appearance record.
Fifa’s decision comes less than a week after Ronaldo was a guest at the White House Black Tie State Dinner held by US President Donald Trump in honour of Saudi Crown Prince and effective leader Mohammed Bin Salman.
Ronaldo plays for
, one of the four Public Investment Fund teams in the Saudi Pro League owned by the Saudi state.
The Portuguese icon, who met
privately before the dinner, posted a selfie in a group after he had eaten which included Fifa President
and
.
Teams that have qualified for the World Cup will find out which group they are in at a draw next Friday.
The draw will take place at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC.
Six of the 48 teams are yet to be determined.
