DOJ Seizes Over 1,000 Domains in Crackdown on Illegal World Cup Streaming Sites

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. authorities have dismantled a massive network of illegal streaming websites, seizing more than 1,000 internet domains used to pirate FIFA World Cup 2026 matches in violation of copyright laws.

The Department of Justice announced the latest wave of actions Monday, July 20, bringing the total to more than 1,000 domains disrupted through Operation Offsides. This includes nearly 400 sites seized by late June, with additional enforcement actions continuing throughout the tournament.

“Operation Offsides confirms the administration’s commitment to intellectual property rights and to the success of the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. Officials highlighted how these operations not only protect copyrights but also shield consumers from malware and data theft risks commonly associated with illicit streaming platforms.

According to court documents filed in the Eastern District of Virginia, the targeted domains provided unauthorized real-time streams of World Cup matches. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents verified the illegal broadcasts, with key assistance from FIFA, beIN Media Group, NBC Universal, the Motion Picture Association’s Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), UFC, and Warner Brothers.

FIFA holds exclusive rights to the 2026 tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The seizures aim to ensure fans access games through legitimate, secure channels rather than risky pirate sites.

The operation involved extensive international coordination. Through the Justice Department’s International Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property (ICHIP) program, actions targeted piracy hubs in Peru, Bulgaria, and other countries. Broader “Operation Red Card” efforts across the Western Hemisphere led to hundreds of additional site blocks, including major actions in Colombia (1,140 sites), Brazil (309), the Dominican Republic (256), Ecuador (223), and others. Colombian authorities also executed search warrants, made arrests tied to a cybercriminal group known as Los Ciberinfiltrados, and targeted counterfeit sports apparel operations.

Director Ivan J. Arvelo of the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center stressed the link between piracy and organized crime: “The unauthorized broadcast of World Cup matches violates intellectual property rights and fuels criminal organizations.”

HSI officials warned viewers that using illegal streams exposes devices to malware and financial data theft. “Protect your online presence and enjoy the finals with official streaming partners,” said Deputy Executive Associate Director Matthew Millhollin.

Operators of unauthorized streaming sites rely on aggressive, low-cost digital marketing to drive traffic, especially during high-profile events like the FIFA World Cup. These tactics exploit the massive global interest in live matches and the desire for "free" access. While the recent DOJ seizures under Operation Offsides targeted the websites themselves, the promotion networks on social platforms remain a key pipeline.  You may have seen their promotions, usually spamming the comments of popular social media posts.

This effort builds on the Justice Department’s broader work against cybercrime and intellectual property theft, with the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) playing a central role. Since 2020, CCIPS has helped secure convictions of over 180 cybercriminals and the return of more than $350 million to victims.