Portugal Faces Critical World Cup Qualifier Without Ronaldo

In a significant setback to Portugal’s World Cup qualification campaign, Cristiano Ronaldo will be watching from the sidelines as his team faces Armenia in a crucial match this Sunday. The suspension comes at the worst possible time for Portugal, who must secure a victory to maintain their hopes of automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup. The match is scheduled for November 16, 2025, at 8:50 AM EDT at Estadio do Dragao in Porto, with coverage available on FOX Sports 2 and streaming on Fubo.

Portugal’s qualification journey took an unexpected turn on Thursday when they suffered a shocking 2-0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland. The loss was compounded by Ronaldo’s dismissal after he received a straight red card for elbowing an opponent in retaliation for what he perceived as an unnecessary shirt tug. This moment of frustration has cost the five-time Ballon d’Or winner his participation in what could be Portugal’s most important qualifier, leaving a significant void in Roberto Martinez’s squad at a critical juncture.

The stakes couldn’t be higher for Portugal heading into Sunday’s match. Currently leading Group F, they need just three points against bottom-placed Armenia to secure the top spot and automatic qualification for the World Cup. However, the absence of their talismanic captain creates additional pressure on a team already reeling from their unexpected defeat in Dublin. Portugal must now find alternative sources of leadership and attacking prowess to overcome an Armenian side that, despite their position, will be motivated to cause another upset in the group.

Should Portugal fail to secure all three points against Armenia, the consequences could be severe for their qualification hopes. Any dropped points would open the door for second-placed Hungary or the Republic of Ireland in third to overtake them at the summit of Group F. This scenario would force Portugal into the less desirable play-off route to World Cup qualification, a situation they were hoping to avoid by topping the group outright. The anxiety within the Portuguese camp is palpable, as they face the prospect of navigating this crucial fixture without their record goalscorer and most experienced player.

The timing of Ronaldo’s suspension is particularly disappointing for the Portuguese superstar, who has repeatedly expressed his desire to feature in another World Cup. At his age, the 2026 tournament likely represents his final opportunity to compete on the world’s biggest stage, and his ambition to lead his nation there in record time has now been complicated by his absence from this decisive qualifier. His teammates now bear the responsibility of securing qualification in his absence, potentially setting up an emotional return for Ronaldo in the World Cup proper.

For fans looking to witness this pivotal moment in Portugal’s qualification journey, the match will be broadcast live on FS2 and available to stream via Fubo. The atmosphere at Estadio do Dragao promises to be electric as Portuguese supporters rally behind their team in this moment of adversity. Despite Ronaldo’s absence, Portugal still possesses considerable talent and will be favored against Armenia, but football’s unpredictable nature means nothing can be taken for granted in this must-win encounter. The nation holds its collective breath as their World Cup dreams hang in the balance this Sunday.