Nearly 400 illegal World Cup 2026 streaming sites taken offline by US DOJ

Date:
Tue, 30 Jun 2026 13:35:00 +0000

Description:
Operation Offsides was a coordinated takedown of sites illegal streaming
World Cup games.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter US DOJ has seized nearly 400 domains The sites were being used to illegally stream World Cup games Users
of the sites were exposed to malware, data theft, and other threats Almost
400 domains have been seized as part of Operation Offsides - a coordinated global effort to take down sites illegally streaming the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The sites were seized by the US Justice Department's Criminal Division for violating copyright and intellectual property law. The takedowns were coordinated by members of the International Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property (ICHIP) network. Latest Videos From Watch full video here: US and friends enforce the offside rule Many of the seized domains now display a banner explaining that the website was seized as part of Operation Offsides. This action was taken to protect consumers and enforce intellectual property rights worldwide, the banner states. (Image credit: U.S. Justice Department) Back in May 2026, the FBI warned that thousands of domains were being registered ahead of the World Cup, with most set up with the intention to
scam fans looking for cheap tickets, access to streaming services, and those looking for discounted merchandise. It appears that Operation Offside was focused on disrupting streaming sites in particular, rather than taking down the wider scam networks associated with these domains. You may like We take a look at some of the biggest threats facing fans at the World Cup 2026 FIFA websites spoofed by hackers ahead of 2026 World Cup, FBI warns 'This enormous demand...has made the football tournament a magnet for fraud': Experts warn scammers are ramping up their work ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 here's how to avoid being hit

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 Departments Criminal Division.

This operation illustrates the Departments respect for intellectual property rights and the responsibility of the United States as a host nation to
protect the FIFA World Cup from criminals. The Criminal Division will
continue to disrupt and, where appropriate, seek to prosecute these sites and the subjects responsible for this criminal activity. Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

In many cases, the networks of fake domains offering cheap or free access to streaming services are run by cybercriminals deliberately operating at a loss in order to attract users to their services. In return for accessing the streaming site, the domain will use the users local network as an exit node for the cybercriminal network, obscuring their traffic and making it appear legitimate.

Unfortunately for the user, who may think they have just found free access to every World Cup game , their network and IP address could be used to distribute malware, cybercriminal communications, and illegal content such as stolen data and exploitative materials - including child sex abuse material. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/nearly-400-illegal-world-cup-2026-strea ming-sites-taken-offline-by-us-doj


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