LISBON: Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo can play in the opening matches of the 2026 World Cup after global football governing body FIFA gave him a partially &quot;suspended&quot; ban on Tuesday following a red card.&nbsp;The 40-year-old was sent off as Portugal lost 2-0 in Dublin earlier in November when he elbowed Dara O&#39;Shea in the back, for his first dismissal in 226 international appearances.&nbsp;FIFA banned Ronaldo for three matches, two of which will be suspended and the other has already been served, when Portugal sealed their qualification for next summer&#39;s tournament against Armenia.&nbsp;&quot;In line with article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the serving of the two remaining matches has been suspended under a one-year probation period,&quot; said FIFA in a statement given to AFP.&nbsp;&quot;If Cristiano Ronaldo commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension set out in the disciplinary decision shall be deemed automatically revoked and the remaining two matches must be served immediately at the next official (Portugal) matches.&quot;&nbsp;Ronaldo, the men&#39;s all-time top goalscorer in international football with 143 goals, is aiming to play at a sixth World Cup next summer in the United States, Mexico and Canada.&nbsp;The former Real Madrid and Manchester United striker, currently at Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, has not yet lifted the trophy but did win Euro 2016 with Portugal.&nbsp;Ronaldo attended a dinner in the White House last week where he met US President Donald Trump, who said his son Barron &quot;is a big fan&quot; of the forward.&nbsp;The World Cup group stage draw takes place on December 5.

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Cristiano Ronaldo can play Portugal’s 2026 World Cup opener after FIFA suspended two of his three-match bans. Having already served one match, he remains eligible unless he commits a similar offence during a one-year probation period.

Ronaldo cleared for 2026 World Cup opener after FIFA suspends ban

PORTO: Portugal crushed Armenia 9-1 without suspended talisman Cristiano Ronaldo to clinch qualification for the 2026 World Cup finals on Sunday.&nbsp;Manchester United&#39;s Bruno Fernandes and Paris Saint-Germain&#39;s Joao Neves both scored hat-tricks as Roberto Martinez&#39;s side racked up a huge win in Porto to top Group F.&nbsp;Renato Veiga got the ball rolling for Portugal, with Goncalo Ramos and Francisco Conceicao also on the scoresheet.&nbsp;After a draw in Hungary in October and a surprise defeat at Ireland on Thursday in which Ronaldo was sent off, Portugal wrapped up qualification at the third attempt in their final group match.&nbsp;They will compete in a seventh consecutive edition of the World Cup, a tournament which the Euro 2016 champions are yet to win.&nbsp;With Manchester United midfielder Fernandes playing a key role throughout, Portugal made a quick start by scoring in the seventh minute.&nbsp;Fernandes&#39;s vicious inswinging free-kick from just outside the left side of the box was pushed onto the post by goalkeeper Henri Avagyan but Veiga was on hand to head home the rebound.&nbsp;The visitors shocked the hosts by scoring on their first attack to equalise, with Grant-Leon Ranos crossing for Armenia captain Eduard Spertsyan to strike.&nbsp;However Portugal quickly stepped up a gear and racked up an unassailable lead. Paris Saint-Germain striker Ramos intercepted a back pass and squeezed home his country&#39;s second after rounding Avagyan.&nbsp;Portugal put together a tidy move for their third, with Neves blasting home from the edge of the box after being teed up by Fernandes.&nbsp;Neves netted a spectacular second with a free-kick which flew into the top right corner, leaving Avagyan with no chance.&nbsp;Fernandes netted the fifth in first half stoppage time with a low penalty after Ruben Dias was fouled.&nbsp;The Manchester United midfielder continued where he left off after the break, slotting home his second after being fed by Ramos.&nbsp;Fernandes completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after debutant substitute Carlos Forbs was felled.&nbsp;Neves followed suit for Portugal&#39;s eighth goal, smashing home after Veiga headed Fernandes&#39;s cross into his path.&nbsp;Juventus forward Conceicao added the ninth in stoppage time to seal one of his country&#39;s biggest ever victories.&nbsp;Ireland stunned Hungary with a late winner to triumph 3-2 in the other Group F match and reach the play-offs, with Troy Parrott following up his midweek brace against Portugal with a hat-trick.

Portugal qualified for the 2026 World Cup by thrashing Armenia 9-1 without Cristiano Ronaldo, with Bruno Fernandes and Joao Neves scoring hat-tricks. The win secured Group F top spot and continued Portugal’s World Cup streak.

Portugal qualify for 2026 World Cup by thrashing Armenia

LONDON: Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed he plans to retire &quot;soon&quot; as the Portugal and Al Nassr star prepares for a tearful end to his glittering career.&nbsp;Ronaldo discussed his thoughts on retirement and his life after football in an interview with Piers Morgan Uncensored.&nbsp;The 40-year-old, who has scored a remarkable 952 goals, is one of the most decorated players in the history of the game, but the end is in sight for his astonishing career.&nbsp;Asked when he would consider hanging up his boots, Ronaldo, who is under contract with Al Nassr until 2027, replied: &quot;Soon. But I think I will be prepared.&nbsp;&quot;It will be tough, of course. It will be difficult? Yes. Probably will cry, yes. I&#39;m an open person. It will be very, very difficult, yes.&nbsp;&quot;But Piers, I prepare my future since 25, 26, 27 years old, I prepare my future. So, I think I will be capable to support that pressure.&quot;&nbsp;Ronaldo is confident he will be able to cope without football because he wants to focus on his family and his off the pitch interests.&nbsp;&quot;Nothing will be able to compare that the adrenaline that we have for football to score a goal,&quot; he said.&nbsp;&quot;But everything has a beginning, and everything has an end. I have other passions. I&#39;m going to have more time for me, I&#39;m going to have more time for my family to raise my kids.&nbsp;&quot;I want to follow Cristiano Junior because he&#39;s at an age when kids do stupid things. I was the same. Mateo loves football as well.&nbsp;&quot;I want to do more fun things. I love playing Padel with my closest friends. We are getting quite good.&quot;&nbsp;After starting his career with Sporting Lisbon, Ronaldo enjoyed successful spells at Manchester United and Real Madrid, Juventus.&nbsp;He won three Premier League titles and the Champions League among other trophies in his first stint in Manchester.&nbsp;Ronaldo joined Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr after leaving United for a second time in 2022.&nbsp;

Cristiano Ronaldo, 40, said he will retire soon and is preparing for life after football. He plans to spend more time with his family, follow his children’s interests, and enjoy hobbies like playing padel.


Articles tagged with "Cristiano Ronaldo"

Ronaldo cleared for 2026 World Cup opener after FIFA suspends ban

Portugal qualify for 2026 World Cup by thrashing Armenia

Ronaldo reveals emotional retirement will come 'soon'