The excitement around the FIFA World Cup 2026 is already creating a fertile environment for cybercriminals. As fans begin searching for tickets, promotions, and merchandise, scams are becoming more polished and more convincing.
Kaspersky says the tournament’s global name is now being used as bait in a wide range of attacks. Fake websites, counterfeit online shops, spam emails, and phishing links are all part of the same effort to steal money and personal data.
One of the clearest threats comes from fake ticket portals that claim to sell official FIFA World Cup 2026 access. These pages are built to look authentic, with familiar tournament colors and design elements meant to make visitors feel safe.
Users are often asked to register first and then complete payment in different currencies. Once that happens, they may lose money and hand over details such as their name, email address, and bank card information.
The scam has also spread into merchandise sales. Fraudulent online stores now advertise World Cup-themed shirts, national team items, mascot dolls, and accessories, often with “Trusted Store” labels and steep discounts designed to attract buyers.
Those offers can end in two ways: the goods never arrive, or the buyer’s financial data is taken instead. In both cases, the fake shop serves the same purpose of collecting information and extracting value from the victim.
Email remains another major entry point for attackers. Spam and phishing messages use attention-grabbing subject lines, and some even pretend to come from FIFA organizers or other internal-sounding entities.
A more elaborate lure claims the recipient has won $500,000. The message says the prize includes match tickets, flights, hotel stays, and extra cash, then pushes the victim to contact the sender or open a link.
That link is often the real trap. It can lead to a fake page asking for sensitive information, or it may deliver malware that infects the device and opens the door to further data theft.
Anna Lazaricheva, senior spam analyst at Kaspersky, said major sporting events are always easy targets for cybercriminals. High public interest and strong fan emotion make people more likely to click on messages or websites that look believable.
She also warned that careless interaction with such content can lead to serious device infection. For that reason, suspicious emails and websites should be ignored to protect finances, devices, and personal data.
Safe buying habits matter most when tickets, merchandise, or streaming access are involved. Purchases should only be made through official sites, and the URL should be checked carefully for suspicious domain names.
Fans should also be wary of offers that seem too generous, including extreme discounts or prizes with unusually high value. Messages from unknown senders should not be opened lightly, especially when they contain links or attachments with unclear origins.
Adding two-factor authentication to email, social media, and financial accounts can provide another layer of protection. Security apps that detect phishing and malware in real time can also help stop an attack before it causes damage.
The World Cup will always draw huge attention, and that is exactly what makes it attractive to scammers. Any transaction tied to the tournament is safest when it stays within official and secure channels.
