The FBI is warning football fans to watch out for fake websites posing as FIFA, as cybercriminals ramp up scams ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to reports from cbsaustin.com.
FBI Alert on Fraudulent FIFA Sites
In a public alert, the agency stated that cybercriminals are creating fraudulent websites designed to look like FIFA's official site (www.fifa.com) in an effort to steal personal information, sell fake World Cup tickets and hospitality packages, and potentially carry out other scams.
How Scammers Trick Users
The FBI explained that these fake sites often use web addresses closely resembling FIFA's legitimate domain. Some rely on small spelling changes, while others use different web extensions to deceive users into thinking they are visiting an official FIFA website.
Examples identified by the FBI include fifa.cab, fifa.pink, fifa.blue, fifa.pub, fifa.city, fifa.bio, fifa.beer, fifa.click, fifa.cam, fifa.ceo, fifa.help, filfa.org, fifa-online.com, fifa-2026.xyz, jobs-fifa.com, fifa-hr.com, and fifa-careerhub.com, among many others.
Data Theft and Fraud Risks
According to the FBI, scammers use these sites to collect personally identifiable information, including names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and banking information. The agency warned that stolen information can be used to open accounts in a victim's name and commit fraud.
The FBI added that additional fake domains are likely to appear before and during the World Cup, which will be hosted by Seattle and other locations in the United States, Canada, and Mexico in 2026.
Recommendations to Stay Safe
To reduce the risk of becoming a victim, the FBI recommends typing fifa.com directly into a browser instead of relying on search results. Users who do use search engines should avoid sponsored links and carefully check that website addresses end in ".com" and match FIFA's official domain.
The FBI also advises using saved bookmarks to reach login pages, accessing FIFA subdomains through FIFA's official homepage, and being cautious of websites that feature poor-quality graphics or other signs that they may not be legitimate.
Consumers should avoid sharing sensitive information unless they are certain a website is authentic and should verify the destination web address before clicking on online advertisements, which can redirect users to fraudulent sites.
The FBI asks victims to provide the fake website address, details about their interaction with the site, and any relevant payment or financial transaction information.
