US Authorities Seize 1,000 Domains Illegally Streaming World Cup 2026

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The U.S. Department of Justice executed a multi-phase operation to confiscate over 1,000 online domains distributing unlicensed broadcasts of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The initiative, conducted in three sequential phases throughout the tournament, resulted in the seizure of more than 1,000 domains by late July. The first two phases alone removed nearly 400 domains by the end of June, with additional takedowns in subsequent waves.

Operation Offsides

The effort, designated Operation Offsides, involved collaboration between the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington Field Office, and 14 international partners across 54 countries. Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva highlighted that the operation aligns with broader efforts to enforce copyright protections and mitigate risks posed by malicious software commonly found on illicit streaming platforms. Investigators leveraged intelligence from FIFA, the Motion Picture Association’s Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), and rights holders such as beIN Media Group, NBCUniversal, UFC, and Warner Bros. to identify and target the domains. A seizure warrant confirmed that the affected domains were actively transmitting unauthorized live coverage of World Cup matches at the time of removal.

Director Ivan J. Arvelo of the IPR Center stated that unlicensed broadcasts violate intellectual property laws and enable criminal enterprises to operate.

HSI Deputy Executive Associate Director Matthew Millhollin warned that entities distributing pirated content may also engage in cybercriminal activities, including deploying malware or stealing financial information from users.

International Collaboration and Operation Red Card

In parallel, authorities in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and Peru conducted a complementary operation named "Operation Red Card" under the Justice Department’s International Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property (ICHIP) program. This campaign led to the blocking of 1,140 domains in Colombia, 309 in Brazil, 256 in the Dominican Republic, 223 in Ecuador, 28 in Peru, and 14 in Argentina. A second phase of Operation Red Card commenced on July 10 with law enforcement raids in Colombian cities, resulting in the arrest of four individuals linked to the group Los Ciberinfiltrados. The suspects are alleged to have compromised telecom systems since 2024, reselling pirated streaming access through stolen credentials and hijacked corporate accounts.

Cybercrime and Piracy

Earlier in May, the FBI identified a surge in counterfeit FIFA websites offering fake tickets and hospitality packages, which also collected user personal and payment data. The operation underscores ongoing global efforts to combat cybercrime in sports-related digital infrastructure.