WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Justice Department seized nearly 400 internet domains on June 26, 2026, that were being used to illegally stream World Cup matches. The domains offered users real-time streams of the soccer tournament.

The Justice Department received assistance from FIFA, NBCUniversal, and Warner Bros. in identifying the domains. The operation targeted servers and domains located in Peru and Bulgaria.

Additional disruptions related to the unauthorized streaming occurred in Croatia, Romania, Poland, and Colombia. Eric Weindorf, Special Agent in Charge at Homeland Security Investigations, said that these streamers violate copyright laws and expose viewers to potential threats.

Weindorf stated, "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 World Cup commenced on June 11, 2026, with matches taking place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Games are scheduled to conclude on July 19, 2026, across 16 cities in the three host countries. FIFA reported that attendance for the matches has established an all-time record.

Why It Matters

The seizure of nearly 400 internet domains by the U.S. Justice Department indicates a coordinated international effort to combat intellectual property infringement during major sporting events. The involvement of organizations like FIFA, NBCUniversal, and Warner Bros. shows the ongoing challenge content creators and distributors face with unauthorized streaming.

The disruptions across multiple countries, including Peru, Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania, Poland, and Colombia, demonstrate the global scope of illegal streaming operations and the transnational nature of law enforcement efforts to counter them. The statement from Homeland Security Investigations notes the potential cybersecurity risks, such as malware and data compromise, that consumers may encounter when accessing unauthorized streams, extending the scope of impact beyond just copyright violations.