DOJ Seizes Nearly 400 Illegal World Cup Streaming Domains in Global Piracy Crackdown

Northeast Radio SD News – National News - The U.S. Department of Justice announced Friday the seizure of nearly 400 internet domains that were illegally broadcasting matches from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in violation of U.S. copyright law.

The coordinated crackdown, dubbed “Operation Offsides,” targeted international digital piracy networks profiting from unauthorized streams of the globally popular soccer tournament, which the United States, Canada, and Mexico are currently co-hosting.

According to an affidavit filed today in the Eastern District of Virginia, the seized domains were actively offering users copyright-protected content by streaming real-time broadcasts of World Cup matches as they were being played.

“We have seized hundreds of domains, used to stream World Cup matches illegally 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.

Duva emphasized the specific duty the U.S. holds during this tournament, adding, “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.”

Federal officials also issued a stark warning to fans about the cybersecurity risks associated with utilizing piracy sites to watch games.

“When you open your network to illegal streaming sites, you’re taking a significant risk,” warned 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.”

The extensive takedown relied heavily on international cooperation, orchestrated through the International Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property (ICHIP) Network of U.S. prosecutors. Authorities targeted servers and domains in known piracy hubs such as Peru and Bulgaria, with additional disruptions executed in Croatia, Romania, Poland, and Colombia.

Ivan J. Arvelo, Director of the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center, noted that such unauthorized broadcasts often fuel broader criminal organizations. “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,” Arvelo stated.

Major sports and entertainment entities heavily supported the DOJ’s crackdown. HSI special agents identified the seized domains with the assistance of FIFA, alongside supporting intelligence provided by beIN Media Group, NBC Universal, the Motion Picture Association’s Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), UFC, and Warner Bros.

The operation was led by the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center, in coordination with HSI, the DOJ’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS), and international law enforcement partners. Since 2020, CCIPS has secured convictions of over 180 cyber and intellectual property criminals, recovering more than $350 million in victim funds.