Just in time for the World Cup’s “knockout” round, the U.S. government announced the seizure of hundreds of internet domains that were illegally streaming broadcasts of matches.

Nearly 400 sites were taken down, the Department of Justice said in a news release Friday. Authorities noted that unauthorized streaming presents other dangers beyond intellectual property theft. 

“These streamers not only violate copyright laws but also expose viewers to potential threats — including malware attacks and unsecure connections that can compromise personal and financial data,” said Eric Weindorf, special agent in charge of the Washington field office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).  

The World Cup’s organizing body, FIFA, helped identify the domains, the DOJ said, along with the help of U.S. broadcaster NBC Universal and other entities.

HSI — part of the Department of Homeland Security — and the the International Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property (ICHIP) Network of U.S. prosecutors coordinated the operation.

“Servers and domains linked to illegal streaming of World Cup games were targeted in Peru and Bulgaria, two known centers of online piracy activity,” the DOJ said. “Additional ICHIP-supported disruptions took place in Croatia, Romania, Poland and Colombia.”

HSI led a similar operation to seize more than 70 sites for the 2022 World Cup.

World Cup knockout stage games began on Sunday, with Canada scoring a late goal to eliminate South Africa.

Pirated sports streams are typically available through Internet Protocol Television (IPTV). Authorities have targeted large illicit operations such as Streameast and 247TVStream in recent years. Investigations have shown that illegal streaming can bring in millions of dollars.