US Seizes Nearly 400 Domains Used for Illegal World Cup Streams

The U.S. Department of Justice has seized nearly 400 internet domains that were used to illegally stream matches from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The authorities announced on Friday that the sites violated copyright laws.

The operation, dubbed "Operation Offsides," was conducted in the Eastern District of Virginia. Investigators confirmed that live streams of World Cup games were being broadcast through these domains.

FIFA, along with broadcasters like beIN Media Group and NBCUniversal, the Motion Picture Association's ACE anti-piracy alliance, the UFC, and Warner Bros., assisted in identifying the infringing websites. FIFA holds the rights to the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

U.S. authorities are warning users of illegal streaming sites about risks including malware and the potential theft of personal and financial data.

This is the second "Operation Offsides," and it is significantly larger than the first conducted during the 2022 World Cup, where 78 domains were seized. The fact that the 2026 World Cup will take place in North America provides U.S. authorities with greater legal jurisdiction.