Jun 30, 2026 12:15:00

400 domains used for illegal streaming related to the World Cup have been seized.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 , which began on June 11, 2026, is being jointly held in 16 cities across three North American countries. The U.S. Department of Justice had previously implemented crackdown measures related to the World Cup, but for the FIFA World Cup 2026, the crackdown was carried out on a scale approximately five times larger than before, and it was announced that approximately 400 domains used for illegal distribution were seized.

Office of Public Affairs | United States Seizes Hundreds of Internet Domains Used to Illegal Stream World Cup Matches | United States Department of Justice
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/united-states-seizes-hundreds-internet-domains-used-illegally-stream-world-cup-matches

Feds Seize Domain Names of Nearly 400 Pirate Sports Streaming Sites (Update) * TorrentFreak
https://torrentfreak.com/feds-seize-domain-names-of-nearly-400-pirate-sports-streaming-sites/

The U.S. National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (NIPRCC) is leading 'Operation Offside,' a campaign targeting digital copyright infringement domains related to the FIFA World Cup 2026. Operation Offside focuses on protecting intellectual property rights by working with multiple law enforcement agencies and private companies around the world to identify websites distributing content without authorization and seizing their domains.

A press release issued by the U.S. Department of Justice on June 26, 2026, announced the seizure of approximately 400 domains that were illegally streaming matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026. According to an affidavit supporting the seizure warrant filed with the Eastern District of Virginia, the seized domains were used to illegally provide live streaming of FIFA World Cup 2026 matches in real time. Below is the 'This site has been seized' Operation Offside message that appears when accessing one of the seized domains.

The seized domains were identified based on information provided by FIFA, and film and media companies provided supporting evidence that they were domains for illegal websites.

According to TorrentFreak, a news outlet that publishes copyright-related news, the seized domains included those disguised as fitness blogs and domains that had expired and were being reused from personal websites. Some of these sites were receiving more than 15 million visits per month, and several .app domains managed by Google were also among those seized.

Ivan J. Alvero, Director of NIPRCC, said, 'Unauthorized distribution of World Cup matches infringes on intellectual property rights and aids criminal organizations. Through Operation Offside and strong collaboration with law enforcement agencies and private companies, we identified and seized hundreds of domains and thwarted the activities of those who steal and distribute copyrighted content. It is an important task for the Department of Homeland Security Investigations to continue these efforts so that fans can enjoy the matches in a safe and legitimate manner.'

Special Agent Eric Weindorf of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations Unit said, 'Accessing illegal streaming sites carries significant risks. These streamers not only violate copyright law, but also expose viewers to potential threats such as malware attacks and connections that could lead to the leakage of personal and financial data. Shutting down these websites is an important part of the Homeland Security Investigations Unit's strategy to comply with intellectual property laws and ensure that fans can support their teams safely and authentically during the World Cup.'