Threat Actors Spoofing FIFA Websites in Advance of the 2026 World Cup
Scammers are creating fake FIFA websites to trick fans into buying counterfeit World Cup tickets and merchandise before the 2026 tournament.
How it works
Threat actors set up websites that look identical to official FIFA pages. Fans searching online for World Cup tickets or gear land on these fake sites instead of the real ones. Victims enter payment information and personal details, then receive nothing or counterfeit items, while their financial information is stolen.
Red flags to watch for
- Website URL is slightly misspelled or uses an unusual domain extension
- Prices for tickets or merchandise are unusually low
- Site asks for payment via wire transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency
- Poor grammar or spelling on pages that claim to be official
- No working contact information or customer service phone number
What to do
Do not click links in emails or ads promoting World Cup tickets. Instead, go directly to the official FIFA website by typing the address yourself in your browser. Buy tickets and official merchandise only from FIFA.com or authorized resellers listed there. If you already entered payment information on a suspicious site, contact your bank immediately and monitor your accounts for fraud.
If this reached you
Source: FBI IC3 . Scam Sentinel summarizes official guidance in plain language; it is a decision aid, not a guarantee.