FIFA extends Argentina player's ban to 2 World Cup matches

Argentina forward Gianluca Prestianni could miss the first two matches of this summer's World Cup after FIFA agreed to extend his ban for verbally abusing Brazil's Vinicius Junior.

UEFA suspended Prestianni, 20, for six matches for an incident on Feb. 17. Playing for Portugal's Benfica in a Champions League match, Prestianni was accused of racially abusing the Real Madrid forward.

Prestianni denied using a racial slur -- UEFA couldn't prove it because he held his jersey over his mouth -- but admitted to making a homophobic remark.

On Wednesday, FIFA granted UEFA's request to apply the ban beyond European competitions.

"The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has decided to extend the six-match ban imposed by UEFA ... to have worldwide effect," FIFA said in a statement.

Prestianni already has served one match of the six-game ban, of which three games are suspended for a two-year period.

It remains to be seen whether he will be included on the defending champions' roster for the 2026 World Cup in North America. His only appearance for Argentina to date was a friendly in November against Angola.

Argentina open play in Group J against Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City, followed by matches against Austria on June 22 in Arlington, Texas, and Jordan on June 27, also in Arlington.

--Field Level Media