US Seizes Over 1,000 Domains Illegally Streaming World Cup 2026
The U.S. Department of Justice has dismantled a significant piracy operation by seizing over 1,000 internet domains used for unauthorized World Cup 2026 streams.
In a sweeping enforcement action dubbed "Operation Offsides," the U.S. Department of Justice announced the seizure of more than 1,000 internet domains that were illegally broadcasting FIFA World Cup 2026 matches. This coordinated effort, spanning multiple waves throughout the tournament, aimed to disrupt the widespread distribution of pirated sports content and protect intellectual property rights.
The operation was spearheaded by the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) in collaboration with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and involved a substantial international coalition of 14 partner organizations across 54 countries. Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva emphasized that the initiative is part of the Department's broader commitment to safeguarding copyright and mitigating the risks consumers face from malicious software often embedded in illicit streaming services.
The investigation was bolstered by crucial intelligence provided by FIFA, the Motion Picture Association’s Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), and major rights holders including beIN Media Group, NBCUniversal, UFC, and Warner Bros. HSI agents verified that the targeted domains were actively transmitting unauthorized live World Cup broadcasts at the time of their flagging, confirming the direct violation of copyright laws.
Director Ivan J. Arvelo of the IPR Center highlighted that the unauthorized broadcast of World Cup matches not only infringes on intellectual property but also serves as a funding mechanism for criminal organizations. This sentiment was echoed by HSI Deputy Executive Associate Director Matthew Millhollin, who warned that entities willing to violate copyright laws are often equally prepared to deploy malware or steal sensitive payment information from unsuspecting visitors.
Parallel to "Operation Offsides," a campaign named "Operation Red Card" was conducted by authorities in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and Peru, under the guidance of the Justice Department’s International Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property (ICHIP) program. This regional effort resulted in the blocking of thousands of domains, with Colombia alone taking down 1,140, Brazil 309, and the Dominican Republic 256.
A significant development within "Operation Red Card" occurred on July 10th with raids in Colombia, leading to the arrest of four individuals associated with a group known as Los Ciberinfiltrados. This group is accused of infiltrating telecom systems since 2024 to resell pirated streaming access, including World Cup content, by leveraging stolen credentials and compromised corporate accounts.
This crackdown follows a related FBI alert in May regarding fake FIFA websites that were not only selling counterfeit tickets and hospitality packages but also actively harvesting personal and payment data from users. The multi-pronged approach by law enforcement agencies underscores the global nature of intellectual property theft and the sophisticated methods employed by criminal networks.
The successful dismantling of these illegal streaming operations serves as a strong deterrent against piracy and highlights the ongoing efforts by international law enforcement to protect consumers and legitimate content creators from the financial and security risks associated with unauthorized broadcasts.