In a significant disciplinary move, FIFA has confirmed that Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni will serve his suspension during the upcoming World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The ruling, reported by ESPN, means the 20-year-old could miss Argentina's first two group-stage matches if selected for Lionel Scaloni's squad.
The controversy stems from a heated Champions League clash between Benfica and Real Madrid, where Prestianni was involved in an altercation with Vinícius Júnior. UEFA handed the Argentine a six-match ban after he was found to have used an anti-gay slur toward the Brazilian star during the match. While three of those matches were deferred on probation, the remaining suspension carries significant weight for the World Cup stage.
UEFA had been pushing for FIFA to extend the ban beyond European competitions, and the global governing body has now fulfilled that request. This decision adds another layer of complexity to Prestianni's chances of representing La Albiceleste on the world's biggest stage.
The young winger made his senior debut for Argentina in a 2-0 friendly victory over Angola in November 2025, playing just nine minutes. He has not featured for his country since, and his club form this season has been underwhelming. Across 39 appearances for Benfica in all competitions, Prestianni has managed only three goals and five assists—all coming in league play—making his World Cup selection uncertain even without the suspension.
The incident that sparked the ban unfolded when Prestianni was accused of using offensive language while attempting to hide his words by covering his mouth with his shirt. An investigation was fueled by testimony from Kylian Mbappé, who claimed Prestianni used a racial slur against Vinícius five times. While allegations of racist language could not be proven, Prestianni admitted to using an anti-gay slur, leading to disciplinary action.
In response to such incidents, football authorities are tightening regulations around player conduct. A recent rule change approved by IFAB now treats attempts to conceal verbal insults—such as covering the mouth—as a red-card offense during matches. If Prestianni does not make Argentina's World Cup squad, he will serve the remainder of his suspension in European competition next season.