Overview
- FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee issued a three-match punishment for Ronaldo’s elbow on Ireland’s Dara O’Shea, his first international dismissal in 226 appearances.
- He served the active game on November 16 against Armenia, Portugal’s final World Cup qualifier.
- Under Article 27, the remaining two matches are suspended for a one-year probation and will be triggered automatically by a similar offence at Portugal’s next official fixtures.
- The ruling means he is available for the World Cup group opener, with competitive fixtures—not friendlies—counting toward any enforced suspension.
- The decision is subject to appeal, and several reports noted its timing a week after Ronaldo attended a White House dinner with President Trump, Mohammed bin Salman and FIFA president Gianni Infantino.