The big question on the minds of football fans right now is this: Will Cristiano Ronaldo Miss Portugal 2026 World Cup fixtures after the shocking red card he received in Portugal’s 2–0 loss to the Republic of Ireland? The incident, which unfolded in dramatic fashion, has raised fresh concerns about whether the legendary forward could be suspended for the beginning of what is expected to be his final World Cup appearance.
Portugal entered the game as the favorites and dominated possession from the opening minutes, but Ireland came prepared with a well-disciplined tactical setup. Their early resilience paid off after just 17 minutes when Troy Parrott capitalized on a defensive lapse to put the hosts ahead. The young AZ Alkmaar striker continued to torment Portugal’s defence and struck again shortly before halftime, sending the Aviva Stadium crowd into wild celebration.
Watch Ronaldo’s Reaction to the Red Card:
As the game progressed, frustration grew inside the Portuguese camp. Missed chances, stubborn defending from Ireland, and rising tension on the pitch eventually boiled over. Just past the hour mark, Ronaldo lost his composure in a duel with Dara O’Shea. Television replays showed the Portuguese captain swinging an elbow into the defender’s back, an action the referee initially judged as a yellow-card offence. However, after a VAR review, the card was upgraded to a straight red—much to the disbelief of Ronaldo and his teammates.
The 40-year-old superstar did not hide his anger. He sarcastically clapped towards the crowd as he walked off and exchanged heated words with Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrímsson on the touchline. His sending-off left Portugal with little hope of staging a comeback, and Ireland comfortably held on for a morale-boosting victory.
What This Means for the 2026 World Cup
Following the dismissal, many supporters immediately wondered again: Will Cristiano Ronaldo Miss Portugal 2026 World Cup matches as a consequence of his actions? According to BBC Sport’s rules analyst Dale Johnson, a straight red card for violent conduct typically results in a two-match suspension in international fixtures. If these ruling stands, Ronaldo would automatically miss Portugal’s next game against Armenia and could also be unavailable for their opening match at the 2026 World Cup—assuming Portugal secures qualification without entering the playoffs.
According to @skysportsnews on twitter, Ronaldo might miss the opening for Portugal. “I can’t get my head around the fact some people say let’s go through a qualification phase”
At the moment, Portugal sits at the top of Group F with 10 points, two ahead of Hungary, who trail in second place. Their final qualifying fixture is against fourth-placed Armenia, and a win would seal automatic qualification to the tournament set to be hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. With such high stakes, the thought that their most iconic player might miss the opener has stirred debate among fans and analysts.
Ronaldo’s Final World Cup?
Naijanewz.com reported earlier that Ronaldo has already confirmed that the upcoming tournament will be the last World Cup of his illustrious career. Speaking at the Tourise Summit in Riyadh, the Al-Nassr forward, now 40 years old, said that the 2026 edition would likely mark “the moment to step away from big competitions.” This only heightens the emotional impact of the suspension drama and raises further anxiety for supporters eager to see him on the grand stage one final time.
As discussions continue and FIFA’s disciplinary decision looms, fans around the world remain glued to the question Will Cristiano Ronaldo Miss Portugal 2026 World Cup matches? For now, all that can be done is to wait and watch how governing bodies interpret the red-card incident—and what it means for one of football’s greatest icons at the twilight of his international journey.