MIAMI, 26 November (H.S.): Portuguese football icon Cristiano Ronaldo has received a significant boost to his FIFA World Cup 2026 ambitions after FIFA, on Tuesday, partially suspended a three-match ban levied against him.

The decision clears the 40-year-old superstar to participate in the opening matches of the tournament next summer.The disciplinary action stems from the first straight red card of Ronaldo's decorated 226-match international career.

He was dismissed for elbowing Republic of Ireland defender Dara O'Shea during a qualifier in Dublin earlier in November, a match Portugal ultimately lost 0-2.Ronaldo has already served one match of the three-match penalty, sitting out Portugal's decisive qualifying victory over Armenia.

In a formal statement, FIFA announced that the remaining two matches of the ban are suspended, subject to a one-year probationary period.This ruling stipulates that the two-match suspension will be immediately enforced if Ronaldo commits another serious infringement within the next year.

The prolific forward, who holds the men's all-time international goalscoring record with 143 goals, is preparing to compete in his sixth World Cup across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, still in pursuit of the elusive trophy to complement his 2016 UEFA European Championship title.The official group stage draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026 is scheduled for December 5.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar