Nearly 3,000 websites have been blocked or seized for illegally streaming World Cup matches, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) said.
More than 1,000 domains were taken down in the US during the tournament, with a similar number blocked in Colombia.
The actions, coordinated across the US and South America, were conducted under investigations dubbed Operation Offsides and Operation Red Card.
Ivan J. Arvelo, who leads the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (NIPRCC), said unauthorized World Cup broadcasts infringe on intellectual property and help finance criminal groups.
At the end of last month, the DOJ had reported removing 400 webpages tied to illegal World Cup streams; since then, hundreds more have been taken down or blocked.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva said the large-scale seizures demonstrate the administration’s commitment to protecting intellectual property and ensuring the success of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which includes the NIPRCC, oversaw much of the enforcement.
Piracy of live sports often relies on event-specific sites, and leagues and broadcasters estimate such activity costs them billions each year.
Analysts say football is pirated on an industrial scale. As rights fees climb, viewers face higher costs—especially if subscribing to multiple services—pushing some fans toward illegal streams.
Charles Rivkin, chairman of the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), which assisted authorities, said global live events like the World Cup are prime targets for piracy networks.
The crackdown was also supported by FIFA, beIN Media Group, NBCUniversal, Ultimate Fighting Championship, and Warner Bros.
FIFA derives a significant share of its income from selling broadcasting rights. FIFA and the other media companies did not immediately comment.
Colombia’s Attorney General’s Office reported several arrests tied to the operations.
Four alleged members of the “Los Ciberinfiltrados” cybercriminal group were detained for obtaining and distributing illicit access to World Cup matches.
Authorities also removed 830 additional sites in Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic.
In parallel, Colombian police conducted nationwide searches related to counterfeit sports apparel. The DOJ said 11 people in the country have been arrested and convicted for manufacturing and distributing fake sporting merchandise.