The United States authorities have seized nearly 400 illegal World Cup streaming sites. According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), the sites were illegally streaming FIFA World Cup 2026 matches in violation of U.S. copyright laws.
The affected domains were operating across six countries, including Bulgaria, Colombia, Croatia, Peru, Poland, and Romania. They were seized in an effort to protect World Cup rights holders, preventing illegal operators from profiting from the popular tournament.
The seizure of the illegal domains comes as the FIFA World Cup 2026 is in full swing. The popular global tournament kicked off on June 11 and is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Domains targeted in Operations Offsides
The U.S authorities targeted the illegal streaming sites in “Operation Offsides,” with the name being a nod to the popular offside rule in football.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) did not reveal the names of the seized domains, but online users have complained about popular sites like StreamEast and Tokutube being down.
In a statement announcing the seizure of the illegal domains, the DOJ hailed the operation as a success and proof of its commitment to protect World Cup rights holders.
“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,” stated A. Tysen Duva, Assistant Attorney General, Justice Department’s Criminal Division.
“This operation [Operation Offsides] 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,” added Duva.
Users warned of serious risks when using illegal World Cup streaming sites
The U.S authorities have also cautioned sports fans from using illegal streaming sites, warning that such platforms expose them to serious security risks.
“When you open your network to illegal streaming sites, you’re taking a significant risk,” said Eric Weindorf, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington Field Office.
“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.”
Ivan J. Arvelo, Director of the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center, also warned that the illegal World Cup streaming sites have links to criminal organizations.
The warnings by U.S. authorities are not without merit. According to a 2025 Enders Analysis report, fans who use illegal sports streaming sites expose their financial and personal information, leaving them vulnerable to data theft, malware, and phishing attack risks.
Therefore, fans looking to watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 are better off using official, legitimate platforms to protect themselves and help uphold intellectual property laws.