US Authorities Crackdown on Illegal FIFA World Cup Streaming Domains

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US authorities have confiscated approximately 400 online domains utilized for unauthorized streaming of FIFA World Cup matches.

International Collaboration and Enforcement

These platforms distributed unlicensed live broadcasts of 2026 World Cup games, violating U.S. intellectual property regulations. The operation involved collaboration with global partners via the International Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property (ICHIP) Network, targeting servers and domains located in Peru, Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania, Poland, and Colombia.

Notice on Seized Websites

This website has been seized by law enforcement authorities as part of Operation Offsides, a coordinated global effort led by the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center with international law enforcement and private sector partners.

Initiative Goals and Support

The statement emphasized the initiative’s goal of safeguarding consumers and upholding intellectual property rights worldwide. Investigations into the domains were facilitated by intelligence provided by U.S. authorities, alongside support from FIFA, beIN Media Group, NBCUniversal, the Motion Picture Association’s Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), and Warner Bros.

Special Agent’s Statement on Cybersecurity Risks

Special Agent in Charge Eric Weindorf of ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington Field Office highlighted that such platforms not only breach copyright laws but also expose users to cybersecurity risks, including malware infections and insecure connections that could jeopardize personal and financial data.

FBI Warning and PirloTV Dismantling

The enforcement action follows a May warning from the FBI about counterfeit websites impersonating FIFA ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which aimed to sell fraudulent tickets, hospitality packages, and other scams. Earlier this week, ACE, UEFA, UC3, and Mexican authorities dismantled 44 domains linked to the PirloTV streaming network, a major sports piracy operation.

PirloTV’s Impact and Target Audience

Collectively, these domains attracted over 950 million annual visits, with 230 million originating from Mexico alone. PirloTV aggregates and embeds links to unlicensed live sports broadcasts, primarily soccer, and is known for rapidly relocating to new domains after takedown efforts. The platform primarily targeted audiences in Latin America, with significant user bases in Mexico and Colombia, alongside substantial traffic from Spain and the United States.

Ongoing Efforts to Combat Digital Piracy

PirloTV has been used to access 2026 World Cup matches on mobile devices, as fragmented broadcasting rights and platform-specific restrictions complicate legal access to content. Law enforcement agencies continue to monitor and disrupt piracy networks, emphasizing the need for users to avoid unauthorized streaming services to mitigate risks of data breaches and malware exposure. The ongoing efforts underscore the challenges of combating digital piracy in an era of globalized content distribution and evolving cyber threats.