Why will Cristiano Ronaldo have to wait three weeks for FIFA to rule on his World Cup ban due to a red card? Football news

It took FIFA three weeks after the end of the 2026 World Cup qualifying rounds to publish a global list of disciplinary rulings, including red cards and incidents such as crowd disturbance.

However, FIFA is now under less time pressure to address the issues with no World Cup play-offs until March, but there is significant interest in Ronaldo’s result.

FIFA on Friday declined to suggest a timetable for the issue.

The one-match suspension is mandatory and will be implemented on Sunday when group leaders Portugal host last-placed Armenia. A win would send Ronaldo’s team to the finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

FIFA rules

FIFA’s disciplinary rules call for a suspension of “at least two matches for serious offences” or “at least three matches for violent behaviour”.

Those extra matches beyond the mandatory penalty must be served in competition, at the World Cup – if Portugal qualifies on Sunday as expected – and not in pre-tournament exhibitions.

Ronaldo turned and swung his right elbow at O’Shea’s back as they waited for the ball to be passed around the hour mark at the Aviva Stadium, with Ireland surprisingly taking a 2-0 lead.

The referee initially showed the yellow card but minutes later raised it to red after reviewing the video on the stadium screen.

“I don’t think it’s an elbow, I think it’s a full body,” Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said in Dublin. “Obviously when he tries to get away from the defender, I think the behavior looks worse than it actually is.”

“But from where the camera is, it looks like an attachment,” Martinez said. “We accept it. It could be a red card but for the right reasons.”

Ban in similar cases

FIFA disciplinary judges must now decide whether Ronaldo is guilty of a serious crime or violent behaviour.

A two-match and three-match suspension was imposed for serious violations on the players who were expelled last month in the World Cup qualifiers.

Qatari defender Tariq Salman was suspended for two matches due to a dangerous tackle on an Emirati opponent. Salman lifted his feet off the ground and went over the ball, placing his shoe on his opponent’s leg.

Burundi Bonfils striker Caleb Biminimana has been suspended for three matches, due to an injury to Kenyan goalkeeper Brian Boyer. Bimenyimana lifted his boot just above the turf and struck Bwire in the face as they converged on a low cross to the near post.

First red card for Portugal

Martinez suggested that Ronaldo deserves credit for having never been sent off before in his international career, which is now in its 23rd season.

“He’s just a captain who has never been sent off in 226 games,” Martinez said, adding that Ronaldo was being “grabbed, pulled and pushed” all the time by Irish defenders.

“I think it was a bit harsh because he cares about the team,” the coach said.

It is possible that the FIFA ruling will be announced after the World Cup draw is held on December 5, when the schedule of each team, which includes three competitors in the group stage, will be determined.

Ronaldo 1 Messi 2

Ronaldo, who will turn 41 in February, aims to participate in a record sixth World Cup. His great rival Lionel Messi is also scheduled to participate in the World Cup for the sixth time.

Messi was sent off on his debut for Argentina in 2005 in a friendly match against Hungary. He received his second red card in the 2019 Copa America, in the third place match against Chile.