Anti-Piracy Operation Takes Down Thousands of Websites Illegally Streaming the World Cup
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Post By
Emmie
- July 21, 2026
Federal authorities in the United States and international law enforcement agencies across the Western Hemisphere and Europe have seized or blocked nearly 3,000 websites caught broadcasting unauthorized live streams of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The coordinated crackdown, which unfolded throughout the month-long tournament hosted across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, targeted illicit networks that illegally distributed copyrighted broadcasts and exposed sports fans to cybersecurity threats.
The domestic component of the operation, known as "Operation Offsides," resulted in the seizure of over 1,000 domains in the United States alone. Managed by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center, the operation saw agents take down websites actively streaming matches in real time.
“The sustained effort to seize more than a thousand domains dedicated to illegally streaming the World Cup 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.
Simultaneously, international partners executed "Operation Red Card," targeting digital piracy and counterfeit goods across Latin America. Authorities blocked hundreds of streaming sites across the region, including 1,140 in Colombia, 309 in Brazil, 256 in the Dominican Republic, 223 in Ecuador, 28 in Peru, and 14 in Argentina.
The investigation went beyond domain takedowns to target organized cybercrime groups. In Colombia, authorities arrested four suspected members of "Los Ciberinfiltrados," a group accused of illegally accessing telecommunications systems to sell pirated streaming access via compromised credentials, fake VPNs, and system manipulation. Colombian police also carried out 13 search-and-seizure operations against counterfeit sportswear operations, leading to 11 arrests and convictions.
Law enforcement and media partners, including FIFA, NBCUniversal, beIN Media Group, Warner Bros., the UFC, and the Motion Picture Association's Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), emphasized that illicit streaming sites pose serious risks to everyday users.
“Streaming content from illicit websites opens your devices to unknown risks. Criminals operating these unauthorized platforms are already willing to break the law when they stream copyrighted World Cup games, they might also be planning to inject malware or steal your payment information,” warned HSI Deputy Executive Associate Director Matthew Millhollin.
“The unauthorized broadcast of World Cup matches violates intellectual property rights and fuels criminal organizations,” added Director Ivan J. Arvelo of the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center.
“Through Operation Offsides and strong partnerships with law enforcement and the private sector, we identified and seized hundreds of domains, disrupting those who steal and distribute copyrighted content. Our ongoing efforts ensure that the excitement of the World Cup reaches fans through legitimate, secure channels.”
Although the World Cup has ended, federal officials have stated that investigations into global sports piracy networks remain ongoing. Visitors attempting to navigate to any of the seized website addresses are now greeted by an official government seizure notice.
