FIFA ban: Prestianni to miss World Cup matches

Benfica midfielder Ginaluca Prestianni could miss the first two matches of the 2026 World Cup after FIFA extended his six-match ban to the international stage. Prestianni was charged by European football governing body UEFA for using homophobic language on Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. during a UEFA Champions League knockout playoff round first leg match at […]

Benfica midfielder Ginaluca Prestianni could miss the first two matches of the 2026 World Cup after FIFA extended his six-match ban to the international stage.

Prestianni was charged by European football governing body UEFA for using homophobic language on Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. during a UEFA Champions League knockout playoff round first leg match at Benfica’s Estadio da Luz on February 17, and was eventually handed a six-match ban on April 24.

The 20-year-old Argentine will serve three matches suspension immediately, with the rest suspended for two years.

He has served an initial one-match suspension, leaving him with two extra matches to be missed in UEFA competitions.

However, UEFA recommended the ban should also include international matches, and this was approved by FIFA on Wednesday.

According to a spokesperson for the world football governing body, FIFA has extended the ban to the international stage on the decision of its disciplinary committee.

“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has decided to extend the six-match ban imposed by UEFA on SL Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni to have worldwide effect.”

The decision means Prestianni will miss the first two matches of the upcoming 2026 World Cup next month if he is called up by Argentina national team.

The youngster has only one cap for the Argentina national team, but was included in the reigning World Cup champions’ squad for friendlies against Mauritania and Zambia in March.