Overview
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers conducted Operation Winner’s Circle from June 1–5 and intercepted 18 shipments containing 1,578 counterfeit FIFA World Cup 2026 items.
- The haul included 530 jerseys, 380 beanies, 349 Puma/Adidas/Nike shirts, and 319 other related items that would have had a combined MSRP of $134,594 if genuine.
- CBP said most packages originated in Hong Kong and were headed to addresses inside and outside the United States.
- Indianapolis Port Director Brett Mueller warned the counterfeits de-fund sports groups, fund criminal networks, and scam fans, and CBP urged shoppers to buy only from reputable online sellers and to report suspected fakes.
- CBP highlighted that over 90% of counterfeit seizures occur in international mail and express parcels, a vulnerability created by low-value e-commerce shipments that agencies are now targeting with intelligence-driven operations.