Ronaldo was banned from playing, at risk of missing an appointment at the 2026 World Cup

Although the Portuguese team is going all out for the journey to conquer the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the focus of attention is on the future of captain Cristiano Ronaldo who is in danger of being sidelined.

All the trouble stemmed from a shocking 0-2 defeat against Team Ireland at the end of 2025. In the context of the home team being stalemate and under great pressure, Ronaldo had a moment of loss of control in the 59th minute. After a collision with center back Dara O'Shea, the Portuguese captain was accused of having a cold hit. The situation was quickly reviewed by the VAR team, and the main referee decided to withdraw the red card directly.

According to FIFA regulations, violent behavior on the pitch is usually suspended for at least 3 matches in official tournaments. With this penalty, Ronaldo had to be absent from the last match of the qualifiers against the Armenian team. However, what worries fans is that the rest of the suspension could be carried over to the 2026 World Cup finals.

The worst-case scenario is entirely possible: if FIFA keeps the three-match penalty unchanged, CR7 will be forced to sit out at least the first two matches of the group stage. This will be a heavy loss for the "European Selecao", not only in terms of expertise but also mentally. Despite turning 41 years old, Ronaldo is still an icon, a fulcrum of experience and the leader of the team's dressing room.

Currently, there are many conflicting information flows about the possibility of FIFA considering reducing the penalty, even converting the rest to a conditional suspended sentence. Some sources said that the Portuguese Football Federation is considering an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in order to seek a final ruling in favor of its captain. However, the legal process is often lengthy and potentially risky.

Besides the discipline story, Ronaldo's physical condition is also a big question mark. Although still maintaining an impressive scoring performance in the Al-Nassr shirt in the Saudi Pro League, the World Cup is always a completely different environment. The high intensity of the game, the dense density of the game and the terrible pressure from the global media can erode the physical strength of any player, especially an old general who is over 40.

However, it is undeniable that Ronaldo still possesses a respectable will and physical foundation. Over the years, he has always been famous for his strict training regimen and ability to maintain persistent form. If the suspension hurdle is overcome, CR7's presence at the 2026 World Cup will continue to be a great inspiration for young teammates.

For Portuguese fans, the prospect of missing the captain in the opening matches is difficult to accept. The 2026 World Cup could be the last major tournament in Ronaldo's international career. Having to sit out because of a moment of lack of restraint will leave many regrets.

Currently, all still have to wait for an official decision from FIFA and related agencies. Whatever the outcome, this incident is also a reminder that at the highest level of football, even a single outburst can have unpredictable consequences. And for Cristiano Ronaldo, all eyes are still watching every step of the way that could be his last at the World Cup.

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