‎By Oscar Chukwugekwu

‎As authorities and industry groups intensify efforts to disrupt illegal broadcasts, nearly 1,400 illegal websites streaming unauthorised 2026 FIFA World Cup matches have lost access to advertising revenue in the latest crackdown on digital piracy.

‎“Nearly 1,400 illegal World Cup streaming sites have had their advertising revenue cut off as part of the wider fight against digital piracy,” The Athletic reported on Tuesday.

‎This latest blow to pirate operators was orchestrated by the Trustworthy Accountability Group, a non-profit established by the global advertising industry to combat ad-related crime.

‎The action comes just days after the U.S. Department of Justice seized nearly 400 sites streaming pirated World Cup content under ‘Operation Offsides.’

‎According to The Athletic, the move aims to starve these illicit platforms of crucial revenue streams, making it harder for them to sustain operations during the ongoing 2026 FIFA tournament hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

‎Illegal streams have proliferated as fans seek free alternatives to official broadcasts, which often come with high subscription costs or geo-restrictions.

‎TAG’s intervention targets ad networks that unwittingly or otherwise fund piracy through placements on these sites.

‎By cutting off this financial lifeline, authorities and industry groups hope to disrupt the economic model that allows pirate sites to thrive, even as legal viewership options expand.

‎The crackdown reflects broader concerns over intellectual property theft in sports broadcasting.

‎FIFA and official broadcasters have long battled unauthorised streams, which undermine multi-billion-dollar rights deals and potentially affect the quality and funding of the game at all levels.