Cristiano Ronaldo will be eligible to feature in Portugal's opening fixtures at the 2026 World Cup after FIFA opted to partially suspend a three-match ban issued for his recent red card.
The 40-year-old was dismissed during Portugal's 2-0 defeat to Ireland in Dublin earlier this month after striking Dara O'Shea in the back with his elbow - the first red card of his international career, coming in his 226th appearance. FIFA responded by imposing a three-game suspension, but confirmed on Tuesday that only one of those matches will count immediately, with the remaining two placed under a one-year probation.
Portugal have already served the active part of the ban during their qualification-clinching win over Armenia. In a statement to AFP, FIFA said the remaining suspension will only be enforced if Ronaldo commits a similar offence within the next 12 months. Should that happen, the two games will be applied "at the next official Portugal matches."