The Justice Department said Monday that U.S. authorities seized more than 1,000 internet domains accused of carrying unauthorized streams of 2026 World Cup matches.\n\nThe total covers three enforcement actions during the tournament and includes nearly 400 domains announced in late June. The department said Homeland Security Investigations agents confirmed that the domains were actively broadcasting matches without authorization before seizure applications were presented to federal courts.\n\nThe operation, called Operation Offsides, involved the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center, HSI offices and international partners. Visitors to seized addresses are redirected to a notice stating that the domain was taken under federal authority.\n\nA domain seizure disables a particular web address; it does not necessarily identify or convict the people who operated the service. The department has not announced individual criminal charges in connection with Monday's aggregate seizure total.\n\nSource: U.S. Department of Justice — https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/united-states-seizes-more-1000-internet-domains-used-illegally-stream-world-cup-2026-matches\n\nSource: U.S. Department of Justice press-release index — https://www.justice.gov/news/press-releases
TechnologyJuly 20, 2026
U.S. seizes more than 1,000 domains tied to illegal World Cup streams
Federal authorities say three enforcement actions disrupted more than 1,000 domains used to show unauthorized streams of 2026 World Cup matches.
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