In a major marketing misstep, FIFA was recently compelled to remove an official promotional poster for the 2026 World Cup following an immediate and intense backlash from the global football community. The poster, which was unveiled on FIFA’s official social media channels, featured a selection of star players from qualified nations, including modern greats like Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé, as well as new-generation superstar Erling Haaland. However, fans quickly noticed one glaring, inexplicable absence: Portuguese icon and global football legend Cristiano Ronaldo.
What was your favourite moment from #Qatar2022? 💭 pic.twitter.com/Z5BEN1pIZn
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 20, 2025
The omission of the iconic Portuguese captain, who is likely preparing for his sixth and final World Cup appearance, sparked a firestorm of criticism across social media platforms. Fans and pundits alike expressed outrage, questioning the logic behind excluding one of the sport’s most recognizable and influential figures. The decision was seen as a profound oversight, with many pointing out that it made little sense from a promotional standpoint. As one fan aptly remarked, “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.”
The backlash was swift and decisive. Within hours of the poster going live on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, the overwhelming negative response forced FIFA’s hand. The organization deleted the post entirely, wiping it from their feed in a clear acknowledgment of the public relations blunder. The sentiment was perfectly captured by another fan comment that went viral, noting, “2026 World Cup poster without Ronaldo? Feels strange. He was the face of every tournament for nearly two decades along with Messi.”
Despite this public retraction, FIFA has remained silent, offering no official statement to explain why the poster was removed or, more importantly, why Cristiano Ronaldo was excluded in the first place. The incident highlights the immense star power Ronaldo still commands and serves as a stark reminder to sports governing bodies that the voice of the fans, amplified through social media backlash, can directly influence major marketing decisions. The episode concludes with FIFA back at the drawing board, tasked with creating a poster that truly represents the global game.