World Cup
Feds Seize Nearly 400 Domains for Illegally Streaming World Cup Matches
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced Thursday the seizure of nearly 400 internet domains that were engaged in the unauthorized streaming of FIFA World Cup matches in violation of U.S. copyright law, marking one of the largest enforcement actions targeting digital piracy during a major sporting event.
“We have seized hundreds of domains, used to illegally stream World Cup matches for profit, to disrupt the international networks that profit from the global popularity of the World Cup,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This operation illustrates the Department’s respect for intellectual property rights and the responsibility of the United States as a host nation to protect the FIFA World Cup from criminals.”
According to an affidavit filed in the Eastern District of Virginia, the seized domains were used to illegally offer users copyright-protected content in the form of real-time streams of 2026 World Cup matches as they were being played and first broadcast. Homeland Security Investigations special agents confirmed that the domains were actively broadcasting World Cup matches without authorization.
The seizure was coordinated with international partners through the International Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property Network of U.S. prosecutors. Servers and domains linked to illegal streaming were targeted in Peru and Bulgaria, two known centers of online piracy activity, with additional disruptions taking place in Croatia, Romania, Poland, and Colombia.
“The unauthorized broadcast of World Cup matches violates intellectual property rights and fuels criminal organizations,” said 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.”
The seized domains were identified with assistance from FIFA, the international governing body of association football that holds exclusive rights to sanction and stage the World Cup. Additional supporting information was provided by beIN Media Group, NBC Universal, the Motion Picture Association’s Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment, Ultimate Fighting Championship, and Warner Brothers.
Special Agent in Charge Eric Weindorf of HSI Washington warned of the risks associated with illegal streaming sites: “When you open your network to illegal streaming sites, you’re taking a significant risk. These streamers not only violate copyright laws but also expose viewers to potential threats—including malware attacks and unsecure connections that can compromise personal and financial data.”
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