Nearly 1,400 websites accused of illegally streaming 2026 FIFA World Cup matches have been cut off from advertising revenue as part of a major effort to disrupt online piracy.
The action targets platforms showing unauthorised broadcasts of World Cup fixtures and aims to weaken the financial support that allows such operations to continue.
Advertising industry leads anti-piracy move
The crackdown was carried out by the Trustworthy Accountability Group, a non-profit organisation created by the advertising industry to tackle digital advertising-related crimes.
The group’s intervention focused on preventing ad networks from placing adverts on websites involved in illegal sports streaming.
By removing advertising income, authorities hope to make piracy platforms more difficult to operate.
US authorities also intensify action
The latest development follows a separate move by the United States Department of Justice, which seized hundreds of websites allegedly involved in distributing illegal World Cup content.
The measures come as football fans around the world search for ways to watch tournament matches online.
However, rights holders and broadcasters have continued to warn that unauthorised streams damage major sports broadcasting deals.
FIFA and broadcasters fight illegal broadcasts
FIFA and official broadcast partners have spent years battling piracy, which affects billions of dollars in media rights agreements.
Illegal streaming platforms also expose users to possible cybersecurity risks, including harmful software and unsafe websites.
As the 2026 World Cup continues across the United States, Canada and Mexico, authorities say monitoring efforts will continue against new piracy websites.