Portugal fighting for their WC spot and Ronaldo's suspension

The final round of qualifiers in Group F brings great excitement. The decisive day has arrived, when all dilemmas will be resolved regarding who will qualify directly for the World Cup and who will have to seek their chance through the play-offs. Portugal have slipped in the last two rounds, drawing 2–2 with Hungary and then losing 2–0 in Dublin to Ireland. That has somewhat shaken the confidence within the Portuguese camp, and Cristiano Ronaldo’s red card for “elbowing” has further raised the temperature ahead of today’s decisive clash at the Dragao against Armenia.

Fortunately for Portugal, everything is still in their own hands. They sit first, two points ahead of Hungary and three ahead of the Republic of Ireland, so qualification depends entirely on them — and they are heavy favorites against Armenia. However, they will have to clinch victory and secure their place at the World Cup without their legend, Ronaldo, who received his first red card in a Portugal shirt. What worries everyone in the Portugal camp is that, according to FIFA regulations, Ronaldo could face up to a three-match suspension for a “violent act,” which would automatically mean he could not play in the first two matches of the World Cup.

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There is a serious alarm in Lisbon because of this, and they have announced that they are preparing a special presentation for FIFA in order to prevent Ronaldo from being punished with more than a one-match suspension. The defence will be based on three points. The Ireland coach stated before the match that Ronaldo had influenced the referees in the teams’ first meeting. Such comments could have contributed to the reaction and exchange of words between the two after Ronaldo was sent off. Ronaldo is frequently a target for opponents in the penalty area, making an unintentional reaction — like the one seen in Dublin — possible. Also, it’s Al Nassr forward’s first ever red card for the national team.

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Roberto Martínez publicly defended Ronaldo, saying that the video footage from Dublin did not show seriousness or intent to hit the opponent.

“After a match, everything is always heated; emotions can get mixed. I saw his reaction to the provocation. It started from the first minute, every time he was in the penalty area. Even the day before, at the press conference. It was a reaction while trying to continue playing. Others would have simply fallen and asked for a penalty. It was not a violent act; it does not deserve a violent-conduct red card, but rather was a reaction to provocation. We are preparing seriously to present the whole case. I think it would be very unfair to impose a long suspension” said Roberto Martínez.

2026 FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS - EUROPE

Sunday

17.00: (1.80) Hungary (3.50) R.Ireland (4.70)

17.00: (1.08) Portugal (13.0) Armenia (20.0)

20.00: (7.75) Albania (4.50) England (1.42)

20.00: (20.0) Azerbaijan (13.0) France (1.08)

20.00: (1.25) Serbia (6.50) Latvia (14.0)

20.00: (1.67) Ukraine (3.60) Iceland (5.70)

22.45: (1.43) Israel (4.50) Moldova (7.50)

22.45: (1.85) Italy (3.60) Norway (4.30)

***odds are subject to change***