As the FIFA World Cup 2026 heats up, football fever is gripping the UAE, and cybercriminals are cashing in. Experts are warning fans across the region to be vigilant as fake streaming links, fraudulent apps and phishing scams are on the rise.
Watching The World Cup For Free Online? It Could Cost You Your Passwords And Bank Details
International reports say more than 19,000 World Cup-related fraudulent websites have appeared on the internet. Kaspersky, the cybersecurity firm, also saw a surge in scam campaigns, with at least 336 fake websites mimicking the tournament’s official platform.
The bait is a familiar one: promises of “HD live streaming without a subscription” or “Watch the World Cup for free”. Cybercriminals distribute malicious links through email, social media, and messaging apps. These links direct users to fraudulent websites that request personal information, banking details, or passwords. In more serious cases, clicking a link can silently install malware, giving attackers access to files, photos, saved passwords or even remote control of the device.
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Free Streaming Sites Are The Biggest Trap
Illegal sports streaming websites have become one of the most common ways hackers target users, with many sites running malicious ads and fake pop-ups that demand sensitive information before a match begins. Smartphones are equally at risk, like fake apps promising live scores or streaming access, when downloaded from unofficial sources, which can expose contacts, messages, photos, and location data.
Adnan Sajid, owner of a satellite equipment store in Abu Dhabi, noted that AI has made scam sites harder to spot. “Users click ‘Watch Now’ expecting to see the match, but instead get redirected to malicious websites or asked to hand over personal information,” he said to Gulf News.
Experts advise fans to use only official platforms, not click on links they don’t trust, download apps only from the App Store or Google Play, and never insert their banking details on any site they don’t trust. Turn on two-factor authentication and keep devices updated.
This World Cup, your biggest opponent might not be on the pitch.
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