US DOJ seizes nearly 400 domains used for illegal World Cup streaming

As reported by Tech Radar, the US Department of Justice has seized nearly 400 domain names as part of a global operation targeting illegal streaming of the FIFA World Cup 2026. This action, dubbed Operation Offsides, aims to protect consumers and enforce intellectual property rights.

The US Justice Department's Criminal Division, in coordination with the International Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property (ICHIP) network, took down the domains for violating copyright laws. Many of the seized sites now display a banner indicating their seizure under Operation Offsides. The FBI had previously warned about an increase in scam domains ahead of the World Cup.

Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva stated that the operation disrupts international networks profiting from the World Cup's popularity. These illegal streaming sites often use users' networks as exit nodes for cybercriminal activities, potentially exposing users to malware, data theft, and the distribution of illegal content. The US, as a host nation, is committed to protecting the FIFA World Cup from criminal activity, officials said.

Source: Tech Radar