US seizes nearly 400 illegal World Cup streaming domains
US authorities have seized nearly 400 internet domains accused of illegally streaming 2026 FIFA World Cup matches as part of an international operation protecting media rights and targeting associated cybersecurity threats.
The United States Department of Justice has seized nearly 400 internet domains used to provide unauthorised live streams of matches from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.The domains were targeted under Operation Offsides, an international enforcement initiative led by the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center and supported by Homeland Security Investigations.US officials said investigators confirmed that the sites were broadcasting copyright-protected World Cup matches in real time without authorisation.The seized domains were identified with assistance from FIFA, while information was also provided by beIN Media Group, NBCUniversal, the Motion Picture Association’s Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment, Ultimate Fighting Championship and Warner Bros.Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division said: “We have seized hundreds of domains, used to illegally stream World Cup matches for profit, to disrupt the international networks that profit from the global popularity of the World Cup.“This operation illustrates the Department’s respect for intellectual property rights and the responsibility of the United States as a host nation to protect the FIFA World Cup from criminals.“The Criminal Division will continue to disrupt and, where appropriate, seek to prosecute these sites and the subjects responsible for this criminal activity.”Servers and domains linked to illegal streaming were targeted in Peru and Bulgaria, while related enforcement activity took place in Croatia, Romania, Poland and Colombia.Authorities said the operation was designed both to protect the commercial value of World Cup broadcasting rights and to reduce the cybersecurity risks associated with unauthorised streaming platforms.Illegal streaming sites frequently rely on intrusive advertising, malicious redirects and deceptive download prompts, creating potential exposure to malware, phishing attacks and the theft of personal or financial information.Homeland Security Investigations special agent in charge Eric Weindorf said: “When you open your network to illegal streaming sites, you’re taking a significant risk.“These streamers not only violate copyright laws but also expose viewers to potential threats – including malware attacks and unsecure connections that can compromise personal and financial data.”The scale of the action reflects the increasing importance of digital enforcement to major sports rights holders as consumption shifts towards online platforms and piracy operations become more international and technically sophisticated.The 2026 World Cup is being staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico, giving US authorities an expanded role in protecting FIFA’s commercial rights during the tournament.