As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, an event that paralyzes the football world every four years, the cybersecurity division Check Point Research has discovered an alarming proliferation of fraudulent websites designed to scam fans.

In just two months, starting in August 2025, more than 4,300 new domains related to FIFA, the World Cup, or the host cities have been registered, all with the intention of deceiving users. These sites appear legitimate at first glance, but their operation reveals a sophisticated orchestration to sell counterfeit tickets, offer illegal streams riddled with malware, and market pirated merchandise. The threat is real, organized, and large-scale, and can severely impact fans and the event's reputation.

The scale and methods of the digital threat

Check Point Research findings show that between August 8 and 12, 2025, nearly 1,500 domains were registered in a short period, with another peak recorded in September, demonstrating that these activities are not spontaneous but clearly automated and coordinated.

These domains are concentrated on popular platforms like GoDaddy, Namecheap, and Dynadot, especially in traditional domain extensions like .com, but they also leverage low-cost domains like .online, .store, or .football to expand their reach.

The fraudulent sites are geographically and linguistically tailored to appear more credible: specific domains for the host countries (the United States, Mexico, and Canada) and cities like Dallas, Miami, or Toronto, combined with languages ????like English for global reach, Spanish and Portuguese for the Latin American market, and French for European audiences. Furthermore, many of these sites use a common pattern in both names and technical infrastructure, suggesting that a small number of groups control large portfolios of domains to maximize their malicious reach.

But it's not just solo sites.These fraudulent domains are part of an entire ecosystem:from Telegram channels promoting "exclusive tickets" and counterfeit jerseys to darknet forums selling tools for phishing attacks or payment fraud. Bot networks have even been detected, preparing to overload official ticket sales systems and manipulate prices through artificial demand. In practical terms, the fight is not against simple, scattered scams, but against a structured criminal network operating before, during, and after the tournament.

Tips to avoid falling into online traps during the World Cup

Given this scenario, the key question is what fans should do to protect themselves from these digital traps that can ruin the World Cup experience. Check Point Research has detailed several security recommendations that can make a difference:

The 2026 World Cup will not only be a massive sporting celebration, but also a terrain where cybercriminals prepare their offensive with cunning and planning. Prevention, awareness, and prudence can help millions enjoy the tournament without unpleasant surprises and without falling prey to these sophisticated digital frauds. The key is to be vigilant and use only verified channels to experience the passion of soccer safely and peacefully.