Law enforcement agencies in the United States and South America have dismantled nearly 3,000 websites engaged in unauthorized World Cup streaming, according to an announcement from the US Department of Justice. The coordinated effort, conducted under investigations titled “operation offsides” and “operation red card,” resulted in the removal of more than 1,000 domains in the US territory alone, while a comparable number of sites were blocked in Colombia.
Ivan J. Arvelo, director of the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center, characterized the illegal broadcasting of World Cup matches as a violation of intellectual property rights that simultaneously supports criminal enterprises. A. Tysen Duva, the DOJ’s assistant attorney general, emphasized that the enforcement actions reflected the administration’s dedication to protecting intellectual property and ensuring a secure 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The crackdown, largely overseen by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, also extended to other South American countries, with approximately 830 additional websites taken down across Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic. The Colombian Attorney General’s Office reported several arrests related to the operations, including the apprehension of four individuals associated with a cybercriminal organization called Los Ciberinfiltrados, who were accused of illicitly obtaining and distributing World Cup access. Additional enforcement actions in Colombia resulted in 11 arrests and convictions related to counterfeit sports merchandise manufacturing and distribution.
The Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment, along with organizations including FIFA, beIN Media Group, NBC Universal, the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and Warner Brothers, supported the enforcement effort. Industry analysts have noted that illegal sports streaming occurs at an industrial scale globally, with companies estimating billions of dollars in annual losses. The rising costs of broadcasting rights have contributed to escalating subscription fees for consumers, prompting some viewers to seek unauthorized streaming alternatives.