For soccer fanatics and newcomers alike, the FIFA World Cup brings plenty of excitement. But the 2026 tournament is especially exciting, as the men's tournament has only been held in the United States once before, and it's been over 30 years.
So, it’s no surprise that just a couple of weeks in, the 2026 World Cup has captured the attention of millions of Americans. In fact, more than 20 million viewers tuned in to watch the U.S. Men’s National Team secure a spot in the knockout stage, and audiences are only expected to grow as the tournament continues.
Unfortunately, as fans rush to buy tickets, book travel, purchase merchandise, and follow the action online, scammers are also seizing the opportunity to capitalize on the excitement.
So, whether you're hoping to attend a match, buy merchandise, stream a game, or enter a fan giveaway, it's worth taking a few precautions to protect your money and personal information. Here are a few things to watch out for:
1. Fake Ticket Scams
Ticket scams are one of the biggest risks surrounding major sporting events. Scammers often post bogus listings on social media, and may even create fake websites or impersonate legitimate ticket sellers.
Be especially cautious if someone offers tickets through Facebook Marketplace, WhatsApp, Telegram, Craigslist, or another informal platform. Even if the seller seems friendly or the price looks reasonable, you won't have protection if the ticket never arrives or turns out to be fake.
Also, be wary of anyone offering printed tickets, screenshots, or QR codes outside the official ticketing process. For major events like the World Cup, legitimate tickets are typically handled through official digital systems.
2. Counterfeit Merchandise
For many fans, official merchandise serves as a tangible reminder of a memorable match, a favorite player, or a once-in-a-generation event-whether you attended a match in person or cheered from your couch. Scammers know this, so fake jerseys, collectibles, and fan gear also tend to spike around major sporting events.
The financial loss may be smaller than a fake ticket or travel package, but counterfeit merchandise sites can still put your personal information or money at risk. Some sites take your payment and never ship anything. Others send low-quality products or use the transaction to collect personal information.
If you really want that World Cup jersey, cap, or plushie, stick with official stores or reputable retailers, and be wary of prices that seem far below normal retail value.
3. Copycat Websites
In late May, the FBI sent out an alert that scammers were creating spoofed websites that look almost identical to official ticketing, travel, or merchandise sites. The logos may look familiar, the colors may match, and the web address may be only a letter or two off from the real thing (like “fiffa” or .org instead of .com).
Some of these fake websites are designed to take your money without ever delivering the tickets, merchandise, or travel packages you ordered. Others aren't interested in selling anything at all. Instead, they exist primarily to steal payment card information, login credentials, or other personal data.
Some scammers even create fake fan communities or supporter clubs that promise exclusive merchandise, ticket access, or member benefits in exchange for creating an account or paying a membership fee.
Before entering personal or payment information on a website, check the web address carefully. Whenever possible, navigate directly to official websites by typing the address into your browser instead of clicking an ad, social media post, email link, or text message. Also, avoid clicking on "sponsored" links from search engines, as they may be paid imitators looking to deter traffic from legitimate sites.
4. Travel and Lodging Scams
Fans traveling for matches may also encounter fake hotel listings, vacation rentals, transportation offers, or all-inclusive travel packages.
A scammer may advertise a "VIP package" that includes tickets, lodging, transportation, and exclusive experiences. The package may look polished and professional, but the company may not actually have access to the tickets or reservations it promises.
Watch for sellers who ask you to move the conversation off a trusted booking platform, pressure you to pay quickly, or request payment by wire transfer, cryptocurrency, gift card, or peer-to-peer payment app.
5. Sketchy Streaming Sites
Of course, not everyone can attend a World Cup match in person, and scammers know many fans will look for ways to watch games online. Fake streaming websites often promise free or low-cost access to live matches but may instead expose visitors to malware, phishing attempts, or other scams.
Some of these sites ask you to create an account, enter payment information for a "free trial," or download software to start the stream. Others bombard visitors with fake pop-ups claiming their device is infected or that a browser update is required. In reality, these tactics are designed to steal data and payment details or install malicious software on your device.
If you’re planning to stream the World Cup, stick with official broadcasters or well-known streaming services. Or, head to a local pub (Like Half Court Sports Bar , Santiam Brewing, or Checkpoint 221 in Salem) to watch live matches. And remember, if a website promises every match for free or asks you to download unfamiliar software before you can watch, it’s best to close the page and look elsewhere.
6. Phishing Emails and Texts
Sadly, World Cup scams are not limited to people buying tickets. Scammers may also send phishing emails or texts that claim there is a problem with your "ticket," "travel reservation," "streaming account," or "payment method." Even if you've never interacted with a ticket or reservation website, scammers are counting on your curiosity-or concern-to convince you to click.
Common messages may say things like:
- “Your World Cup ticket has been suspended.”
- “Confirm your FIFA account.”
- “Your payment failed.”
- “Claim your fan reward.”
- “Verify your account to access your tickets.”
These messages often include links that lead to fake login pages designed to steal usernames, passwords, card numbers, or verification codes. So, if you receive a message like this, don't click the link. Instead, go directly to the official website or app to verify whether there is actually an issue.
If you never purchased tickets, booked travel, or signed up for World Cup-related services, the safest response is to ignore the message altogether. Or, if you're ever concerned that your account may have been compromised, contact your bank, credit union, or credit card company using a trusted phone number or website-not the contact information included in the suspicious message.
7. Fake Giveaways and Prize Scams
Scammers love contests that sound exciting and exclusive.
So, you may see posts, emails, or texts claiming that you won free World Cup tickets, a travel package, team merchandise, or a VIP fan experience. The catch usually comes in the form of "taxes," "shipping," "processing fees," or "verification costs" that you must pay before claiming your prize.
Legitimate prizes do not require you to pay upfront fees by gift card, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or payment app. If a “free” prize requires payment, treat it as a red flag.
How to Protect Yourself
Whether you're hoping to attend a match, buy merchandise, stream a game, or enter a fan giveaway, it's worth slowing down before you click, buy, or share personal information. Scammers know that high-demand events create urgency, and urgency is one of their favorite tools.
These other simple habits can help reduce your risk of being scammed:
- Buy tickets only through official sources or reputable resale platforms.
- Type official websites directly into your browser.
- Be cautious of social media ticket sellers.
- Avoid paying with gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or payment apps.
- Be skeptical of urgent messages asking you to act immediately.
- Don’t share passwords, verification codes, or online banking credentials.
- Use a credit card when possible for added purchase protection.
- Research unfamiliar companies before buying travel packages or merchandise.
And remember: Maps employees will never call or email you asking for your password, PIN, online banking login, or verification code. If someone contacts you unexpectedly and asks for that information, stop communicating and contact us directly.