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First readWhat to know+
Topic: FBI warning about fake FIFA websites targeting Houston soccer fansEvent: 2026 World Cup matches in Houston (June-July)Scam method: Fake websites with similar addresses like 'fifa.org' instead of 'fifa.com'Safety tip: Always type 'fifa.com' directly, avoid clicking sponsored search linksReporting: Report fake sites to FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center
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Good first step: Share Family and friends planning to attend World Cup matches
Warn them to only use fifa.com directly and avoid clicking on sponsored links when searching for World Cup tickets
The FBI is warning Houston soccer fans about fake websites pretending to be FIFA's official site. These scam sites want to steal your personal information or sell you worthless fake tickets. Knowing what to look for can protect you, your family, and your bank account before the 2026 World Cup comes to our city.
Scammers build fake FIFA websites to steal personal information and sell fake World Cup tickets. The FBI calls these 'spoofed' websites. They often include the word FIFA in the address but have a slight misspelling or a different ending — like .org instead of .com. Once you enter your information, scammers can drain your bank account, steal your identity, or leave you holding tickets that do not exist. The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) has published a list of known fake sites, but warns that more likely exist.
Staying safe is straightforward. Always type 'fifa.com' directly into your browser bar yourself. Do not rely on search engine results, especially links marked 'Sponsored' on Google, Bing, or Yahoo — those paid spots can be bought by anyone, including scammers. Only buy tickets through FIFA's official website. If you spot a suspicious site, report it to the FBI's IC3 right away. Pass this warning along to neighbors, family members, and friends who are planning to attend matches here in Houston.
No fixed date
Not location-specific
This warning connects to broader conversations happening in Houston around World Cup planning, ticket availability, and consumer protection. FIFA's ticket sales process has already drawn scrutiny — so being extra careful about where you buy matters even more right now.
Houston will host World Cup matches in June and July 2026. That excitement makes local fans a prime target for scammers. Fake sites can look nearly identical to the real FIFA website but use tiny differences in the web address — like 'fifa.org' instead of 'fifa.com' — to trick you into handing over your name, address, phone number, or banking details. This type of attack is called typo squatting. It works by counting on small mistakes we all make when typing a web address.
