The Department of Justice has seized more than 1,000 internet domains that were used to illegally stream FIFA World Cup matches, in a coordinated crackdown dubbed “Operation Offsides.” The announcement, made Monday, underscores the Trump administration’s push to enforce copyright law while shielding American consumers from cybersecurity threats.
According to the DOJ, the domains violated U.S. copyright law by broadcasting live matches without authorization. Users who accessed these sites, the agency warned, risked inadvertently downloading malicious software onto their devices. “Protect your online presence and enjoy the finals with official streaming partners,” said Matthew Millhollin, deputy executive associate director of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), in a statement.
The operation, which targeted illegal streams during the World Cup finals, was led by HSI special agents who filed a warrant in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. The DOJ’s International Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property program worked with foreign counterparts in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Peru to dismantle the network.
The multinational effort resulted in the blocking of hundreds of illicit streaming sites, including 1,140 in Colombia and 309 in Brazil, according to the administration. The seizures are part of what the DOJ described as an “ongoing effort to protect copyright while reducing the risk to American consumers from the malicious software embedded in many illicit streaming services.”
The crackdown comes amid heightened security around the World Cup, including a foiled vehicle attack plot against a fan zone that DHS chief revealed earlier. The tournament has also been a flashpoint for political controversies, from Trump's proposal for a solo U.S. hosting bid to the political fallout after Spain's win.
While the DOJ did not specify which matches were most targeted, the finals drew massive global audiences, making them a prime target for pirate streams. The agency stressed that consumers should rely only on authorized broadcasters to avoid legal and security risks.
This operation marks one of the largest domain seizures related to sports streaming, reflecting the growing intersection of intellectual property enforcement and cybersecurity. The DOJ said it will continue to monitor and disrupt illegal streaming networks, particularly during high-profile events.
