The U.S. Department of Justice has successfully seized over 1,000 websites and blocked 1,970 domains that were illegally streaming matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Law enforcement identified these seized domains with assistance from U.S. authorities, FIFA, the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), and various entertainment networks, including beIN Media Group, NBC Universal, UFC, and Warner Bros.
These actions are part of a series of coordinated law enforcement efforts stemming from investigations by the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Washington.
Under the initiative known as Operation Offside, the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division, in collaboration with the IPR Center and HSI Washington, seized more than 1,000 domains as part of a global law enforcement operation involving 14 partners across 54 countries, resulting in nearly 400 web domain seizures by the end of last month.
“Operation Offside demonstrates the Department’s ongoing commitment to safeguard copyright and minimize risks posed to American consumers by malicious software embedded in illegal streaming services,” stated Assistant Attorney General A. Theisen Duva.
“These unauthorized streamers not only violate copyright laws but also expose viewers to significant threats, including potential malware attacks and insecure connections that could jeopardize personal and financial data,” emphasized HSI Special Agent in Charge, Eric Weindorff.
In connection with the Department of Justice’s International Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property Program, law enforcement officials also executed “Operation Red Card”, blocking hundreds of illegal streaming websites in Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, and Colombia.
The second phase of Operation Red Card commenced on July 10 in Colombia, leading to the apprehension of four members of the cybercrime group Los Siberinfiltrados. They were charged with illegally accessing telecommunications systems and distributing pirated streaming content since at least 2024.
“Unauthorized broadcasting of World Cup matches infringes on intellectual property rights and bolsters criminal organizations,” stated Ivan J. Arvelo, Director of the IPR Center. “Through operations like Offside and strong partnerships with law enforcement and the private sector, we have seized numerous domains and thwarted the theft and distribution of copyrighted material.”
This announcement follows an FBI warning issued in May that highlighted the emergence of fraudulent websites impersonating FIFA, which were selling counterfeit tickets and hospitality packages, thereby compromising the personal and financial data of consumers.
In June, Mexican authorities took action against 44 domains associated with the illegal streaming platform Pirlo TV and a prominent sports piracy ring. Combined, these domains attract over 950 million visits annually, with approximately 230 million visits originating from Mexico alone.
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Source: www.bleepingcomputer.com