By Bilal Khan 
US authorities target illegal streaming
The U.S. Justice Department has announced the seizure of more than 1,000 websites and the blocking of 1,970 domains that were illegally streaming FIFA World Cup 2026 matches. These actions were taken as part of efforts to combat copyright infringement and protect consumers from potential online threats.
These seizures were executed across three distinct operations during the World Cup, with nearly 400 sites having been seized by the end of last month. The investigations were led by the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) and the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington Field Office.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division stated that this sustained effort confirms the administration’s commitment to intellectual property rights and the success of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He also highlighted that Operation Offsides is part of the Department’s ongoing work to protect copyright and reduce risks to American consumers from malicious software often embedded in illicit streaming services.
Ivan J. Arvelo, Director of the IPR Center, noted that the unauthorized broadcast of World Cup matches violates intellectual property rights and supports criminal organizations. He emphasized that through Operation Offsides and collaborations with law enforcement and the private sector, hundreds of domains were identified and seized, disrupting those involved in stealing and distributing copyrighted content.
Collaborative efforts and consumer protection
Law enforcement authorities identified the seized domains using information provided by various entities, including FIFA, the Motion Picture Association’s Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), and several entertainment networks such as beIN Media Group, NBCUniversal, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), and Warner Bros.
These seizures are part of joint law enforcement actions based on investigations by the IPR Center and HSI Washington. Operation Offsides, led by the IPR Center in coordination with HSI Washington, involved 14 partners across 54 countries.
HSI Special Agent in Charge Eric Weindorf warned that illegal streamers not only violate copyright laws but also expose viewers to potential threats, including malware attacks and insecure connections that could compromise personal and financial data. Deputy Executive Associate Director Matthew Millhollin of HSI also advised protecting online presence and enjoying the finals with official streaming partners, as criminals operating unauthorized platforms might also be planning to inject malware or steal payment information.
In addition to Operation Offsides, law enforcement authorities, in coordination with the Justice Department’s International Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property program, also conducted Operation Red Card. This operation led to the blocking of hundreds of illegal streaming sites in countries such as Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, and Colombia.
Recent developments and broader context
A second phase of Operation Red Card, launched on July 10 in Colombia, resulted in the arrest of four members of the Los Ciberinfiltrados cybercriminal group. These individuals were charged with illegally accessing telecommunications systems and selling pirated streaming content since at least 2024.
The announcement of these seizures follows a warning issued by the FBI in May. The warning highlighted fake websites impersonating FIFA ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which were reportedly selling fake tickets and hospitality packages, stealing personal and financial information, and engaging in other scams related to the event.
In June, authorities in Mexico also took action, shutting down 44 domains linked to the illegal PirloTV streaming platform and a significant sports piracy ring. These domains collectively generated over 950 million visits annually, with approximately 230 million visits originating from Mexico alone.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is being hosted in multiple cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and FIFA holds the exclusive rights to sanction and stage the event.
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Source: bleepingcomputer.com
