Jun 4, 2026
The countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is underway, and millions of fans are already searching for tickets. But the FBI warns that excitement around the tournament, which kicks off on June 11, is creating an opening for scammers.
According to a recent alert from the agency, cybercriminals are using a tactic known as website spoofing to create fake websites that closely mimic FIFA’s official ticketing platform. The sites are designed to trick fans into sharing personal information, purchasing fraudulent tickets or paying for hospitality packages that may not exist.
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In some cases, the fake websites differ from the real thing by just a few characters in the web address — a misspelled word, an extra letter or a different domain ending — making them difficult to spot.
How the scam works
Once a user lands on one of these lookalike websites, scammers may attempt to collect personal details, payment information or login credentials. Often, the fraudulent websites use a technique known as typo squatting, where web addresses are designed to closely resemble legitimate sites and deceive visitors into thinking they are on an official platform.
According to the FBI, the goal is often to capture sensitive information, including names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses and banking details. The agency warned that stolen information can be used to commit identity theft, open accounts in a victim’s name and carry out other forms of fraud.
“If a threat actor gains access to a victim’s PII, they can create new accounts in a victim’s name and ultimately defraud the victim,” the agency explained.
The FBI expects additional fraudulent domains to emerge as the 2026 World Cup approaches and is urging fans to verify website addresses before entering personal or financial information.
The agency’s concern comes as the tournament is expected to attract unprecedented crowds. FIFA expects the 2026 World Cup to draw approximately 6.5 million fans to matches across Canada, Mexico and the United States, which would break attendance records.
The fake ticket websites are just one example of how scammers are attempting to capitalize on that excitement. Authorities have also reported counterfeit merchandise schemes tied to the tournament. Ahead of the event, Toronto police announced what they described as the largest seizure of counterfeit soccer jerseys in Canadian history. In all, they recovered more than C$3.5 million worth of fake jerseys, flags and other products bearing unauthorized FIFA and major sportswear branding.
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How to protect yourself from World Cup scams
The FBI’s warning comes amid a broader rise in fraud. Consumers reported losing more than $12.5 billion to scams in 2024, according to data from the Federal Trade Commission — a 25% increase from the year before.
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Sports fans have become a frequent target. Data from Santander, a major international bank, found that consumers lost nearly £243,000 (roughly $326,000 USD) to sports ticket fraud between January and September 2024 alone. Fans aged 19 to 34 were particularly vulnerable, accounting for 41% of reported victims.
For those hoping to secure World Cup tickets, one of the simplest ways to stay safe is to navigate directly to FIFA’s official website by typing “fifa.com” into their browser rather than relying on search engine results.
The agency also recommends avoiding sponsored links that appear at the top of search results, as scammers can pay to promote websites that closely resemble legitimate ticketing platforms. Before entering payment information, double-check the website address for misspellings, extra characters or unusual domain endings.
Those who believe they have fallen victim to a ticket scam can file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), the agency’s online portal for reporting cybercrime and fraud.
Attending a World Cup is the kind of experience fans dream about for years. And when the final whistle blows, the story they bring home should be about the goal they witnessed, the crowd they joined and the memories they made — not the fake website that stole their money before they ever made it through the stadium gates.
Have you or someone you know been impacted by a FIFA World Cup 2026-related scam? I’d like to hear your story. Email victoria.vesovski@wisepublishing.com.
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Victoria Vesovski is a Toronto-based staff reporter at Moneywise covering personal finance, lifestyle and trending news. She holds degrees from the University of Toronto and New York University, and her work has appeared on platforms including Yahoo Finance, MSN Money and Apple News.
