US Authorities Shut Over 1,000 Illegal World Cup Streaming Sites

US authorities launched an extensive campaign targeting illegal streaming of the 2026 World Cup matches, resulting in the shutdown of over 1,000 websites broadcasting the tournament without licenses.

The US Department of Justice stated that the identification of these sites was conducted in cooperation with the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA). By the end of June, approximately 400 domain names had been seized, with the total number surpassing 1,000 as the campaign continued throughout the competition.

The US Department of Homeland Security also participated in the operation, maintaining efforts to track down and close infringing websites during the World Cup matches. This initiative aimed to protect broadcasting rights and combat digital piracy.

The 2026 World Cup took place from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament concluded with Spain winning the title after defeating Argentina 1-0 in the final match.