The Illegal World Cup Streaming Domains crackdown has intensified as the U.S. Department of Justice announced the seizure of nearly 400 websites that were illegally broadcasting FIFA World Cup 2026 matches. The enforcement action, launched ahead of the tournament’s knockout stage, targets websites accused of violating copyright infringement laws by offering unauthorized live streams of World Cup matches for profit.
According to the Justice Department, the domains were seized under U.S. copyright law as part of Operation Offsides, an international initiative focused on disrupting digital piracy networks linked to the World Cup.
Illegal World Cup Streaming Domains Targeted Under Operation Offsides
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division said the operation was designed to disrupt international networks profiting from the global popularity of the World Cup.
“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,” Duva said.
He added that the Criminal Division will continue efforts to disrupt and, where appropriate, prosecute websites and individuals involved in the illegal activity.
The domain seizures are part of Operation Offsides, led by the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center in coordination with HSI, HSI Attaché offices, private sector organizations, and international law enforcement agencies.
Investigation Supported by FIFA and Industry Partners
According to an affidavit filed in the Eastern District of Virginia, investigators found that the seized websites were providing unauthorized real-time streams of FIFA World Cup 2026 matches as they were being officially broadcast.
HSI special agents confirmed that the domains were actively streaming matches without authorization.
Authorities identified the domains with assistance from FIFA, while additional supporting information was provided by beIN Media Group, NBC Universal, the Motion Picture Association’s Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), and Warner Brothers.
FIFA holds the exclusive rights to organize and stage the FIFA World Cup 2026, which is being hosted across cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Officials Warn of Copyright and Cybersecurity Risks
Director Ivan J. Arvelo of the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center said unauthorized broadcasts violate intellectual property rights and financially benefit criminal organizations.
He said the operation disrupted networks responsible for stealing and distributing copyrighted content while helping ensure fans access matches through legitimate channels.
HSI Washington Field Office Special Agent in Charge Eric Weindorf also warned that illegal streaming sites may expose users to cybersecurity threats.
According to Weindorf, viewers using unauthorized streaming platforms could face malware risks, insecure connections, and the potential compromise of personal and financial information, in addition to the copyright violations committed by the operators of such sites.
International Enforcement Targets Online Piracy Networks
The domain seizure operation was coordinated with international partners through the International Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property (ICHIP) Network.
Authorities targeted servers and domains associated with online piracy in Peru and Bulgaria, which officials identified as known centers of illegal streaming activity. Additional ICHIP-supported enforcement actions took place in Croatia, Romania, Poland, and Colombia after U.S. authorities shared intelligence to help identify domains involved in unauthorized World Cup broadcasts.
The Justice Department said the operation demonstrates ongoing cooperation between domestic and international law enforcement agencies in combating cross-border piracy.
DOJ Continues Cybercrime and IP Enforcement
The Justice Department noted that its Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) investigates and prosecutes cybercrime and intellectual property offenses alongside domestic and international partners.
Since 2020, CCIPS has secured the conviction of more than 180 cybercrime and intellectual property offenders and obtained court orders returning more than $350 million in victim funds.
The latest enforcement follows a similar HSI-led operation during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, when authorities seized more than 70 websites involved in unauthorized streaming.
The Justice Department said Operation Offsides will continue to focus on identifying and shutting down websites that facilitate illegal broadcasts while protecting intellectual property during the FIFA World Cup.
