Argentina winger Gianluca Prestianni could miss his country’s opening World Cup matches after FIFA extended his six-match suspension for homophobic conduct to apply worldwide on Wednesday.

The Benfica forward was originally sanctioned by UEFA after allegations that he directed a slur at Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior during a Champions League playoff match in February, which Real Madrid won 1-0.

A FIFA spokesperson told Reuters:
“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.”

They added that the decision was taken under Article 70 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, which allows disciplinary measures to be enforced globally.

The worldwide extension, requested by UEFA, means Prestianni would miss Argentina’s first two World Cup matches if he is selected.

The suspension applies to UEFA club competitions and competitive international fixtures, but does not cover friendly matches or domestic league games.

UEFA had originally handed the 20-year-old a six-match ban for discriminatory conduct, with three of those matches suspended under a probationary period. Prestianni had already served one game of the sanction as a provisional suspension, which ruled him out of the second leg against Real Madrid.

Despite the setback, the Benfica winger has limited international experience, having made just one appearance for Argentina as a late substitute in a November friendly against Angola.

Argentina will begin their World Cup campaign on June 16 against Group J opponents Algeria, before facing Austria and Jordan.