In a major crackdown on FIFA World Cup piracy, US authorities have seized over 1,000 websites and blocked nearly 2,000 domains used to stream matches without authorization. The operation, dubbed “Operation Offsides,” is part of a joint effort between law enforcement agencies, entertainment networks, and the Motion Picture Association’s Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE) to combat copyright infringement.
The seized domains were identified through leads provided by US authorities, FIFA, ACE, and multiple entertainment networks. These include beIN Media Group, NBCUniversal, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), and Warner Bros. The operation is part of several joint law enforcement actions based on investigations by the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) and the US Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington.
The Justice Department’s Criminal Division has been actively working to disrupt the illicit streaming services, which not only violate copyright laws but also expose viewers to potential threats such as malware attacks and unsecure connections that can compromise personal and financial data. According to Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva, “Operation Offsides is part of the Department’s ongoing effort to protect copyright while reducing the risk to American consumers from the malicious software embedded in many illicit streaming services.”
In addition to seizing domains, law enforcement authorities also carried out “Operation Red Card,” blocking hundreds of illegal streaming sites in several countries including Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, and Colombia. A second phase of Operation Red Card launched on July 10 in Colombia led to the arrest of four members of the Los Ciberinfiltrados cybercriminal group, charged with illegally accessing telecommunications systems and selling pirated streaming content since at least 2024.
The operation comes after a warning from the FBI in May that fake websites impersonating FIFA were selling fake tickets and hospitality packages, stealing personal and financial information, and pushing other scams and fraud attempts related to the event. In June, Mexican authorities shut down 44 domains linked to the illegal PirloTV streaming platform and a major sports piracy ring, which collectively generated over 950 million visits every year.
The success of Operation Offsides highlights the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies, entertainment networks, and private sector organizations in combating copyright infringement. The operation’s director, Ivan J. Arvelo, noted that “the unauthorized broadcast of World Cup matches violates intellectual property rights and fuels criminal organizations.” Through joint efforts like this, authorities can identify and disrupt those who steal and distribute copyrighted content.
As a result of these operations, security teams should be aware of the potential risks associated with illicit streaming services and take steps to protect their networks. This includes regularly testing every layer of their security infrastructure to ensure that detection systems are functioning properly. By doing so, organizations can reduce the risk of successful attacks slipping by detection.
Source: Bleeping Computer — 2026-07-21