Fake World Cup 2026 Jerseys Seized: What Buyers Should Know
Thousands of fake FIFA World Cup 2026™ jerseys and other merchandise never made it to fans — CBP officers in Cincinnati stopped them at the border. In just five days, agents seized nearly 2,600 counterfeit items worth over a quarter million dollars. If you're shopping for World Cup gear online, what you don't know could cost you.
CBP Seizes Thousands of Fake World Cup Items in Cincinnati
Between June 1 and 5, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Cincinnati seized 68 shipments of counterfeit FIFA World Cup 2026™ merchandise. The operation, called "Protect the Pitch," targeted jerseys, shorts, footwear, hats, shirts, jewelry, and other items carrying fake trademarks of national soccer federations and major apparel brands. If the goods had been real, they would have been worth a combined $266,566 in retail value.
The seized items included 1,563 FIFA World Cup 2026™ jerseys, 306 pairs of shorts, 200 pairs of footwear, 150 hats, 80 shirts, and 290 other related items. Most shipments came from Mexico and Colombia and were headed to cities hosting World Cup matches — including Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle. "It's a shame criminals are preying on soccer fans and using the World Cup as a means to steal money from consumers," said Cincinnati Port Director Eric Zizelman.
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A Bigger Problem Across the Country
The Cincinnati operation is just one part of a much larger effort. In the first week of World Cup match play alone, CBP made over 1,400 seizures of counterfeit World Cup goods nationwide — totaling more than $23 million in retail value if the items had been genuine. CBP says stopping fake goods is not just about protecting brand names. It also prevents money from reaching criminal organizations and stops businesses that may use forced labor to produce cheap knockoffs.
CBP warns that over 90% of all counterfeit seizures happen through international mail and small e-commerce packages — the same channels many people use when shopping online. Buying counterfeit goods can expose you to health and safety risks, and in some cases, receiving or reselling fake trademarked items can have legal consequences.
What to Do
- Buy only from official or well-known retailers. If a deal on a World Cup jersey looks too good to be true, it probably is. Stick to official team stores, major sporting goods chains, or verified sellers on trusted platforms.
- Check the seller's reviews and return policy. Counterfeit sellers often have no clear return process and disappear after the sale. Look for verified buyer reviews and a real contact address.
- Report suspected counterfeit goods. If you think you received a fake item or see suspicious online listings, you can report it to the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center by calling 1-866-IPR-2060, or through CBP's e-Allegations Program online.
- Do not resell items you suspect are fake. Knowingly selling counterfeit goods — even as an individual — can lead to serious legal trouble. If you accidentally bought a fake, stop selling it and report it.
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Receiving counterfeit goods by mistake is generally not a criminal offense for consumers, but knowingly purchasing or reselling fake trademarked items can expose you to civil or even criminal liability under U.S. intellectual property law. If you run a small business or online store and received a shipment that turns out to be counterfeit, stop sales immediately and document everything — your response matters if CBP or brand owners contact you. Consulting an attorney familiar with intellectual property or trade law can help you understand your exposure and next steps.