FIFA caused a stir when their first poster ahead of the 2026 World Cup did not feature Cristiano Ronaldo's image. Such was the backlash from fans online, they deleted the post and soon had an alternative with the Portugal star's likeness present.

With 42 teams now qualified for the tournament in the United States, the international governing body released a design depicting a player from each of the teams that have booked their place so far. Their hope was to promote the group stage draw on December 5.

The likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane and Erling Haaland were depicted. When it came to Portugal, Ronaldo's absence was notable, with Bruno Fernandes the figure shown instead.

The post was eventually deleted, and another post was soon released that featured Ronaldo. Suspiciously, it also included Morocco star Youssef En Nesyri's header that knocked Portugal out of the World Cup in Qatar, and Messi holding the winners' trophy.

FIFA did not escape criticism with many perplexed Ronaldo was not included in the original material. The 40-year-old is one goal away from becoming the competition's joint-top goalscorer.

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The Al Nassr forward has scored in more World Cups than anyone else after finding the net in every tournament since 2006. Some fans could not believe his stature did not secure his spot in the promotional material.

"FIFA leaving Cristiano Ronaldo off the official World Cup poster is hard to understand. From a marketing point of view, he’s the most influential athlete on the planet, the kind of face that sells a tournament," said one social media user.

"Gonna be some kicking off in the comments using Bruno as the face of Portugal rather than CR7," added another.

"The editor forgot Ronaldo? Yeah, that's a Messi fan at work, 100%," said a suspicious fan.

"Ronaldo doesn't need posters. Posters need Ronaldo," said a user. "CR7 missing always brings the heat - no surprise they had to delete it," surmised another.

It was perhaps more surprising to see Ronaldo absent from the initial release after he attended the White House along with FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Ronaldo was part of a delegation of officials from Saudi Arabia, led by the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Last December, Ronaldo gave his public backing to the 2034 World Cup being hosted in Saudi Arabia. "It's amazing. I didn't expect it, but it is so, so, so good," he said.

"The 2034 World Cup will probably be the best World Cup ever. After what I’ve seen today, I'm convinced that it will be amazing. The infrastructure, the stadiums, the conditions for the fans, the airports, and everything else, it's amazing."

The World Cup in the United States is set to be Ronaldo's last. Speaking of the end of his career, Ronaldo said: "When I mean soon, it's: I'm going back in the days and tell you - I'm really enjoying the moment right now.

"As you know in football when you reach some age you count the months very quick. So, the moment is good.

"As I tell you before I feel very good in this moment, I score goals I still feel quick and sharp, I'm enjoying my game in the national team and Al Nassr, but of course, let's be honest when I mean soon it's probably one, two years [where] I'll still be at the game."

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