FIFA Deletes First 2026 World Cup Poster After Backlash Over Ronaldo Snub

FIFA has quietly removed the first official promotional poster for the 2026 World Cup from its social
media accounts following heavy criticism over the omission of Cristiano Ronaldo.
The original poster, shared by FIFA on November 19, featured a lineup of global football stars, such as
Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and Mohamed Salah.

For Portugal, however, FIFA chose Bruno Fernandes instead of Cristiano Ronaldo as the representative
face. The absence of Ronaldo, one of football’s most iconic figures, sparked immediate outrage from
fans, especially Portuguese supporters.
Amid the backlash, FIFA deleted the post from its official accounts.
Many fans called Ronaldo’s exclusion “unfair” and “inexcusable,” given his status and the possibility that
he could make a record-breaking sixth World Cup appearance. Some went further, suggesting FIFA’s
decision was a snub or a sign of favoritism toward other players.

Notably, Ronaldo’s age and his recent red card in a qualifier have already raised questions about his
participation in the 2026 tournament.
After deleting the controversial poster, FIFA reportedly replaced it with a new version that includes
Ronaldo, according to several reports.
The updated design also appears to feature more narrative moments, such as Youssef En-Nesyri’s
heading goal vs. Portugal and Lionel Messi holding the World Cup trophy.

Despite the controversy, FIFA has not issued a formal explanation for the deletion.
Ronaldo is one of the most marketable footballers globally. Skipping him from a major promotional
poster was seen as a risky branding misstep. The incident underscores the sensitivity of football fans,
particularly when it comes to icons who have defined their national teams.It also shows how immediate
and harsh social media reactions can influence even the world’s biggest sports organizations.

By Oyinkansola Shittu.

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