As excitement builds for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, cybercriminals and opportunistic domain registrants are also preparing for one of the world’s most watched sporting events.
New research from CSC reveals a significant increase in third-party domain registrations containing FIFA-related keywords, highlighting how major global events create opportunities for fraud, brand abuse, and consumer deception.
“Major events like the World Cup increase public attention for brands affiliated with these events,” said Fernando Cevallos, Global Anti-Fraud Product Manager & Sr. Software Developer at CSC Digital Brand Services in an email to eSecurityPlanet.
He explained, “To avoid becoming the next victim of brand infringement or fraud, organizations should prioritize proactive domain monitoring to identify suspicious domain registrations early, assess potential risk and take action before the domains can be used against customers or partners.”
Key Takeaways
- More than 65,000 FIFA-related domains were registered by third parties between 2022 and 2026.
- The finalization of the 2026 World Cup teams triggered a one-day spike of 1,412 FIFA-related registrations.
- Ticket-focused registrations accounted for just 163 domains but pose outsized fraud risks.
- CSC identified FIFA-related domains supporting scams involving tickets, travel, merchandise, and phishing.
- Major events consistently drive spikes in domain registrations that can create brand and consumer risks.
FIFA Domain Registrations Increase with Major Tournament Milestones
CSC’s analysis identified 65,590 third-party domain registrations containing the keyword “FIFA” between Jan. 1, 2022, and Apr. 21, 2026.
Registration activity closely followed major FIFA milestones, including the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the FIFA Club World Cup, and preparations for the 2026 tournament.
The largest single-day spike occurred on Mar. 31, 2026, when FIFA finalized the teams participating in the World Cup.
On that day alone, 1,412 FIFA-related domains were registered, demonstrating how major announcements can trigger rapid increases in domain activity.
These patterns show that domain registrations often surge in response to high-profile events.
While some registrations may be speculative, others can be used to support misleading, infringing, or fraudulent campaigns.
Similar spikes often follow mergers, product launches, leadership changes, and relocations, extending these risks beyond the sports industry
Ticket-Related Domains Present a Higher Fraud Risk
The risks become even more pronounced when examining domains tied directly to consumer transactions.
CSC identified 163 registrations containing the keyword combination “FIFA tickets.”
Although the volume is much lower than broader FIFA-related registrations, these domains present a heightened threat because they target users actively seeking tickets.
Registration spikes aligned with match schedule announcements, ticket sale periods, and other key event milestones.
Consumers searching for tickets often act quickly, making them more susceptible to fraudulent websites that appear legitimate.
Many ticket-related domains are intentionally designed to mimic official branding, creating confusion and increasing the likelihood that users will provide personal information or payment details.
As demand for tickets grows, these domains can become valuable tools for cybercriminals seeking to exploit fan enthusiasm.
How Cybercriminals Are Exploiting World Cup Interest
CSC’s research also found that FIFA-related domains are already being used to support multiple forms of fraud.
Common schemes include fake ticket sales platforms, travel and accommodation scams, counterfeit merchandise sites, streaming and media fraud, and giveaway or lottery scams.
Additional examples identified in the research include phishing campaigns, false association schemes, and fraudulent betting websites designed to capitalize on World Cup-related traffic.
Not every third-party registration is immediately malicious.
Some domains are parked to generate advertising revenue or held for speculative purposes.
However, even inactive domains can create brand infringement concerns and may later be activated to support fraudulent activity.
What Organizations Can Learn from the World Cup Domain Surge
For organizations, the findings underscore the importance of proactive domain monitoring and brand protection.
Major events attract heightened public attention, creating opportunities for third parties to register lookalike domains that can mislead customers, partners, and stakeholders.
By identifying suspicious registrations early, organizations can assess potential risks and take action before domains are used to facilitate fraud or damage brand reputation.
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, additional milestones — including ticket releases, sponsor promotions, travel planning periods, and the tournament’s opening match — are likely to drive further increases in domain registration activity.
Organizations that monitor and address emerging domain threats early can identify suspicious activity sooner and take action before those domains are used to mislead customers or damage the brand.