Gianluca Prestianni: Benfica winger could miss first two games of World Cup after ban extended globally
Gianluca Prestianni was handed a six-match ban for discriminatory conduct by UEFA; Vinicius Junior alleged he was racially abused during the knockout play-off round match between the sides in Lisbon on February 17, while UEFA have indicated the punishment was for homophobic abuse
Wednesday 6 May 2026 13:42, UK
Gianluca Prestianni's six-match ban for discriminatory conduct towards Vinicius Junior has been extended worldwide - meaning the Argentina winger could miss his country's first two World Cup games if he is selected in their squad.
FIFA's disciplinary committee made the decision to extend the six-match ban imposed by UEFA, which originally only applied to European competitions.
UEFA had earlier made a request request to FIFA to turn Prestianni's ban worldwide.
Prestianni only has one Argentina cap, but was called up for their most recent friendly with Zambia in March. The World Cup holders' first two games of the upcoming tournament will see them face Algeria and Austria in Group J.
Friendly matches or domestic league games in Portugal remain unaffected, so if Prestianni is not selected by Argentina, the ban will apply to next two UEFA games next season.
Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr accused Prestianni of racially abusing him in February's Champions League tie. In announcing his ban, UEFA indicated in a statement the punishment was for homophobic abuse.
Three of those six matches are suspended for a two-year period and the ban also includes the one match Prestianni served as a provisional suspension in February.
Therefore, unless he triggers the suspended three-match ban, he will only actually be sidelined for two games.
