FIFA’s unveiling of its first promotional poster for the 2026 World Cup has stirred backlash, as fans quickly noticed the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo—a global football icon expected to make his record-breaking sixth World Cup appearance.
The poster features a collage of international football stars, including Lionel Messi. Yet, Ronaldo is nowhere to be seen, sparking frustration and heated debate across social media platforms.
One user wrote, “There’s Messi but no Ronaldo. That’s just unfair.” Another chimed in, “He’s about to break records, and FIFA still ignores him.” A third commented, “The poster includes stars from every country, yet Ronaldo is missing?”
Instead of Ronaldo, FIFA chose Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes to represent Portugal, leading some fans to mock the Al Nassr striker. A fan scoffed, “It’s just a poster. Who cares if Ronaldo isn’t on it?” Others criticized his World Cup track record, saying, “What has Ronaldo ever done in the knockout stages? Just cry when they get eliminated?”
Ronaldo will turn 41 by the time the 2026 tournament kicks off in June, and he has previously stated that it may be his “last chance” to win the only major trophy missing from his illustrious career.
However, his participation might be delayed due to a potential 1-2 match suspension, stemming from a red card he received during Portugal’s match against Ireland on November 16. While FIFA has yet to issue a final ruling, the Portuguese Football Federation is actively appealing in hopes of clearing Ronaldo’s name before the tournament.
Sources: Znews