The United States government has seized nearly 400 internet domains linked to illegal streaming of the ongoing World Cup, authorities announced on Friday. The operation aims to disrupt international networks profiting from unauthorized broadcasts of the tournament.

The U.S. Justice Department said the domains were identified with support from FIFA, the sport’s global governing body, as well as NBC Universal and Warner Brothers, which hold official broadcast rights. The seized websites were used to provide unauthorized real-time streams of World Cup matches as they aired, violating copyright protections.

“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,” Eric Weindorf, special agent in charge at Homeland Security Investigations, stated.

In addition to the domain seizures in the United States, the Justice Department noted that servers and domains involved in illicit streaming were targeted in multiple countries, including Peru, Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania, Poland, and Colombia. These coordinated efforts are part of a broader crackdown on unauthorized distribution channels around the globe.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup commenced on June 11, with matches hosted across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament has attracted record-breaking attendance figures, according to FIFA, and television viewership has surged. Nielsen data shows that last week’s matches ranked among the most-watched programs, with the United States’ victory over Australia leading the ratings.

Authorities emphasize that illegal streaming not only infringes on intellectual property rights but also poses cybersecurity risks to viewers, underscoring the importance of accessing content through authorized platforms.