TLDR
- Illegal streaming sites broadcasting the 2026 FIFA World Cup keep reappearing in Vietnam despite enforcement crackdowns
- Many piracy sites are clones of the banned XoilacTV platform, using new domain names
- Sites are heavily funded by ads from illegal offshore gambling operators
- Operators are evading detection using audio tricks, animated overlays, and encrypted social media channels
- Vietnam has blocked 1,073 infringing websites and opened 44 criminal cases for IP violations so far
Vietnam is fighting a growing battle against illegal websites streaming 2026 FIFA World Cup matches, with many of those sites also used to promote illegal gambling.
Despite enforcement agencies shutting down major piracy networks, new copycat sites keep appearing under different domain names.
The Scale of the Problem
During a World Cup match between Scotland and Haiti on Sunday, multiple unauthorized streams were live at the same time as the legal broadcast on state broadcaster VTV.
The illegal sites used domain prefixes like ukiss, yess, fitma, and fundition, while also carrying the name XoilacTV — a platform long linked to illegal sports streaming in Vietnam.
These sites copy the look of the original XoilacTV platform, making it easy for users to find live streams quickly.
Even after the original XoilacTV network was taken down, hundreds or thousands of clone sites are reported to be ready to replace any domain that gets blocked.
Operators have also moved onto Facebook pages, TikTok accounts, and Telegram channels to spread unauthorized streams.
How the Sites Make Money
Illegal betting ads are the main source of revenue for these piracy platforms.
Banners for offshore gambling services appear alongside match broadcasts, directing viewers toward illegal betting operators.
Industry observers say the large online audiences created by global tournaments like the World Cup make these events especially attractive for illegal gambling promotion.
The money generated by these ads helps piracy networks recover quickly after enforcement actions.
Evading Detection
To get around copyright enforcement tools, operators are using technical tricks during live broadcasts.
These include mirroring video feeds, changing audio frequencies, and adding animated overlays designed to fool AI-based detection systems.
These tactics make it harder for authorities to act in real time during matches.
Vietnam’s Enforcement Numbers
By the end of last month, Vietnamese enforcement agencies had recorded 2,036 copyright infringement cases.
Of those, 1,616 cases resulted in administrative sanctions totaling VND17.9 billion, equivalent to around $679,700.
Authorities blocked 1,073 infringing websites, including 612 unauthorized television streaming sites and 263 illegal movie platforms.
The total value of goods and services tied to those cases reached VND115.5 billion, or about $4.4 million.
Investigators also opened 44 criminal cases linked to intellectual property violations, including 7 related to copyright and 37 tied to industrial property infringement.
The continued return of illegal streaming platforms shows how hard it is for authorities to keep pace with piracy networks that combine high-demand sports content, gambling promotion, and decentralized distribution.
