US Seizes Nearly 400 Illegal World Cup Streaming Domains

The U.S. Department of Justice and Homeland Security Investigations have seized nearly 400 internet domains involved in the unauthorized streaming of World Cup matches. This coordinated international effort, supported by FIFA and NBC Universal, aims to protect intellectual property rights and mitigate cybersecurity risks for viewers. For the streaming and media sector, the crackdown highlights the ongoing battle against large-scale IPTV piracy and the increasing collaboration between government agencies and private rights holders.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the seizure of nearly 400 internet domains just as the World Cup entered its knockout stage. This operation, led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the International Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property (ICHIP) Network, targeted sites illegally broadcasting tournament matches. Authorities emphasized that these unauthorized streams pose significant risks beyond copyright infringement, including exposure to malware and unsecure connections that could compromise viewers' personal and financial data.

The enforcement action was a collaborative effort involving the World Cup’s organizing body, FIFA, and U.S. broadcaster NBC Universal. The investigation identified servers and domains linked to illegal activity in Peru and Bulgaria, which the DOJ identified as known centers for online piracy. Additional disruptions supported by ICHIP took place across Croatia, Romania, Poland, and Colombia, demonstrating the global scale of the illicit streaming networks.

This latest crackdown follows a similar HSI operation during the 2022 World Cup, which resulted in the seizure of over 70 sites. Pirated sports content is frequently distributed via Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) services, with major operations like Streameast and 247TVStream previously targeted by law enforcement. With illegal streaming estimated to generate millions of dollars in revenue, these seizures represent a critical component of the media industry's strategy to safeguard high-value live sports broadcasting rights.