The United States has seized nearly 400 internet domains accused of illegally streaming World Cup matches, in what officials described as a major effort to disrupt international piracy networks profiting from the tournament’s global popularity.
The United States Department of Justice said on Friday (26 June) that the domains were identified with the assistance of FIFA and media companies including NBCUniversal and Warner Bros. Discovery.
Authorities said the websites were offering unauthorised real-time streams of World Cup matches, violating copyright protections.
The Justice Department said servers and domains tied to the operation were targeted in Peru and Bulgaria, with additional enforcement actions in Croatia, Romania, Poland and Colombia.
Officials said the operation aimed not only to protect broadcasting rights but also to shield viewers from cyber risks linked to illegal streaming platforms.
“These streamers not only violate copyright laws but also expose viewers to potential threats, including malware attacks and insecure connections,” said Eric Weindorf of Homeland Security Investigations.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, began on 11 June and runs through 19 July across 16 cities.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has already become the best-attended tournament in the competition’s history, with total attendance reaching 3,605,357 spectators by 25 June. The number surpassed the previous record set at the 1994 World Cup in the United States, according to FIFA.
With 48 matches still to play in the expanded 104-game tournament, attendance figures are expected to climb significantly higher, although the 1994 edition still holds the record for highest average attendance per match.
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