Cristiano Ronaldo snubbed: Absence from official FIFA 2026 poster sparks fury

FIFA’s latest drop of its official poster for the 2026 World Cup has sparked a global outcry, after social media users spotted Cristiano Ronaldo was completely left off.

The international football body dropped a massive star-studded poster featuring players from nations that have already made their way into the world’s biggest sporting event-FIFA World Cup 2026.

But despite his iconic status and possibly his sixth World Cup appearance, Cristiano Ronaldo remained unsuccessful in getting his picture on the poster.

The official poster showcasing several high-profile athletes-most recognizable is Lionel Messi-but the omission of Ronaldo made the rest of the design feel like an afterthought.

The decision to feature Bruno Fernandes as Portugal’s face in the official poster, instead of Cristiano Ronaldo has sparked massive buzz online.

Netizen react

Fans are now questioning if this choice reflects a shift in the team’s current hierarchy.

One such user commented, “Why are Ronaldo fans crying in the comments after the FIFA World Cup account omitted him from this post.”

“Using Bruno as the face of Portugal?” questions another user.

“FIFA is too jealous of Ronaldo,” quipped the third one.

There’s growing speculation surrounding Ronaldo’s participation in the tournament, largely due to his unsettled disciplinary case.

The red card he received against Ireland on November 16 may lead to a one-or two-match suspension, pending FIFA’s final decision.

The 23rd edition of the World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026, and will be the first to feature 48 competing teams.