Cristiano Ronaldo faces a potential three-week wait to learn the extent of his FIFA ban following a red card incident in Portugal’s 2-0 loss to Ireland in Dublin on Thursday. The Portuguese star could receive a two or three-game suspension for striking Ireland defender Dara O’Shea with an elbow during the 2026 World Cup qualifier match.FIFA typically takes three weeks after qualifying rounds to release global disciplinary decisions, including red cards and crowd disorder incidents. While there’s less time pressure now with no World Cup playoffs until March, Ronaldo’s case has garnered significant attention.FIFA declined to provide a specific timeline for the decision on Friday. A mandatory one-game suspension will be served when Portugal hosts Armenia on Sunday, where a victory would secure their spot in the World Cup finals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.FIFA’s disciplinary rules require a minimum two-match ban for serious foul play or at least three matches for violent conduct. These additional games must be served in competition at the World Cup, assuming Portugal qualifies, rather than in friendly matches.The incident occurred around the 60-minute mark at Aviva Stadium when Ronaldo turned and struck O’Shea’s back with his right elbow while waiting for a cross. The referee initially showed a yellow card but upgraded it to red after reviewing the incident on the field-side monitor.“I don’t think it’s an elbow, I think it’s a full body,” Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said. “Obviously when he tries to get away from the defender, I think the action looks worse that what it actually is.”“But from where the camera is it looks like an elbow,” Martinez added. “We accept it. It could be a red card but for the right reasons.”FIFA’s disciplinary panel must now determine whether Ronaldo’s actions constitute serious foul play or violent conduct. Martinez defended Ronaldo’s overall disciplinary record, noting this was his first red card in international play.“He is just a captain that has never been sent off before in 226 games,” Martinez stated. “He was being grabbed, being pulled, being pushed. I think it was a bit harsh because he cares about the team.”The FIFA decision could come after the December 5 World Cup draw, which will determine each team’s group-stage opponents.At age 41 by February, Ronaldo aims to make history by appearing in his sixth World Cup tournament, a milestone his rival Lionel Messi also hopes to achieve. Messi has received two red cards in his international career – one during his 2005 debut for Argentina in a friendly against Hungary and another in the 2019 Copa America third-place match against Chile.
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