U.S. Seizes Nearly 400 Illegal FIFA World Cup Streaming Domains

The Illegal World Cup Streaming Domains crackdown has intensified as the matches. The enforcement action, launched ahead of the tournament's knockout stage, targets websites accused of violating copyright infringement laws by offering unauthorized live streams of World Cup matches for profit.

According to the Justice Department, the domains were seized under U.S. copyright law as part of Operation Offsides, an international initiative focused on disrupting A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department's Criminal Division said the operation was designed to disrupt international networks profiting from the global popularity of the World Cup.

"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," Duva and financially benefit criminal organizations.

He said the operation disrupted networks responsible for stealing and distributing copyrighted content while helping ensure fans access matches through legitimate channels.

HSI Washington Field Office Special Agent in Charge Eric Weindorf also warned that illegal streaming sites may expose users to risks, insecure connections, and the potential compromise of personal and financial information, in addition to the copyright violations committed by the operators of such sites.

International Enforcement Targets Online Piracy Networks

The in Peru and Bulgaria, which officials identified as known centers of illegal streaming activity. Additional ICHIP-supported enforcement actions took place in Croatia, Romania, Poland, and Colombia after U.S. authorities shared intelligence to help identify domains involved in unauthorized World Cup broadcasts.

The Justice Department said the operation demonstrates ongoing cooperation between domestic and international law enforcement agencies in combating cross-border piracy.

DOJ Continues Cybercrime and IP Enforcement

The Justice Department noted that its Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) investigates and prosecutes and intellectual property offenders and obtained court orders returning more than $350 million in victim funds.

The latest enforcement follows a similar HSI-led operation during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, when authorities seized more than 70 websites involved in unauthorized streaming.

The Justice Department said Operation Offsides will continue to focus on identifying and shutting down websites that facilitate illegal broadcasts while protecting intellectual property during the FIFA World Cup.