CBP Busts Nearly $9M in Fake World Cup Gear — Almost 20,000 Items Seized

U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced Monday that officers seized nearly $9 million worth of counterfeit FIFA World Cup 2026 merchandise and took almost 20,000 items into custody. The confiscated goods included apparel and novelty items that infringed on FIFA trademarks and other intellectual property protections.

What Was Seized

Seized items included jerseys purporting to represent national teams — including the United States, Mexico, Portugal, France, Germany, Brazil, Spain, Argentina and Ecuador — as well as shot glasses, soccer balls and novelty jerseys for dogs. The shipments were removed from the supply chain by CBP officers for violating trademark and copyright laws.

"CBP has a significant role in protecting American consumers from low-quality and potentially dangerous counterfeit items," Roderick Hudson, CBP area port director, said in a statement. "Consumers should always be informed and know where they are buying their products. Too many global criminal networks are very deceptive in scamming sports fans and harming American consumers and businesses."

CBP said a majority of the intercepted shipments originated in China. While many consignments were destined for addresses in the United States, others were intended for delivery abroad.

Broader Risks and Trends

In a press release, CBP warned that the growth of e-commerce has made it easier for counterfeit goods to reach U.S. consumers. Beyond sports merchandise, commonly counterfeited items include medications, perfumes and cosmetics, children's toys, jewelry and consumer electronics — products that can present health, safety or financial risks to buyers.

CBP encourages consumers to purchase from reputable retailers, verify seller credentials on online marketplaces, and report suspicious listings that may infringe on trademarks or pose safety hazards.