Cristiano Ronaldo Getty Images November 25, 2025, 6:45 p.m

The star of the Portuguese national team, Cristiano Ronaldo, will be able to participate in all matches of the final part of the 2026 World Cup. The 40-year-old striker avoided the lengthy ban he received after receiving a straight red card in a qualifier against Ireland. B24PT informs about this.

Ronaldo was sent off for aggressive play that included an elbow. Under FIFA’s standard rules, such actions, which are classified as deliberate attack or aggression, are usually punishable by a three-match ban. However, the Portuguese Football Federation appealed the ban.

According to the report, Cristiano has already served his punishment, missing just one match – the final qualifier against Armenia. This means that he will be able to play at the World Cup itself from the very first round.

This decision of FIFA caused a wave of discussions among fans and experts regarding the selectivity of sports justice. In society, the question is actively raised, why different standards of punishment are applied to one of the most outstanding players in history.

Some even suggest that external factors may have influenced the decision, including the Portuguese’s recent public visit to Donald Trump.