In a surprising reversal, FIFA has removed one of its first promotional posters for the 2026 World Cup following a firestorm of criticism over the omission of Cristiano Ronaldo.
The poster released on FIFA’s official social media channels featured prominent stars from the 42 teams that had already qualified for the expanded 48-team tournament. Names such as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and Harry Kane were featured. However, for Portugal, the face chosen was Bruno Fernandes, not Ronaldo, sparking immediate outrage from fans.
Social media users expressed disappointment and disbelief. Many questioned how FIFA could exclude one of the most iconic figures in the sport, especially a player on the verge of making a record sixth World Cup appearance. Some critics even accused the governing body of favouring Lionel Messi.
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How FIFA Responded to the Backlash Over Cristiano Ronaldo’s Omission
Within hours of the backlash, FIFA deleted the original poster from its accounts, without offering a detailed public explanation. According to media reports, the move appeared to be an implicit acknowledgement of the mistake.
FIFA later replaced the image with a revised version that now includes Ronaldo. This new poster also features visual callbacks to memorable moments from the 2022 tournament, including Lionel Messi holding the World Cup trophy.
The incident underscores the complex balance governing bodies like FIFA must maintain between marketing priorities and the passions of fans. Ronaldo’s absence from the first poster was viewed by many as a symbolic slight — especially given his storied career and global appeal.
For now, FIFA has avoided a full public acknowledgement of misjudgment, issuing no formal apology. But the swift decision to reinstate Ronaldo suggests the organisation recognised the scale of the backlash.