U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced on July 27 that officers from the George Bush Intercontinental Airport Trade Enforcement Team have seized nearly 20,000 items of counterfeit FIFA World Cup 2026 merchandise. The items included jerseys, shorts, shot glasses, hand fans, soccer balls, whiskey decanters, and even soccer jerseys for dogs. All were identified as intellectual property rights violations involving trademarks owned by FIFA. The total manufacturer’s suggested retail price of the seized counterfeit goods was just under $9 million.
Specific counterfeit items seized featured national team jerseys representing countries such as the United States, Mexico, Portugal, France, Germany, Brazil, Spain, Argentina, and Ecuador. “CBP has a significant role in protecting American consumers from low quality and potentially dangerous counterfeit items,” said CBP Area Port Director Roderick Hudson. “Consumers should always be informed and know where they are buying their products. Too many global criminal networks are very deceptive in scamming sports fans and harming American consumers and businesses. CBP works tirelessly every day to protect the public, our local economy, and those who play by the rules.”
The enforcement action focused on recipients accepting shipments that violated intellectual property rights associated with FIFA World Cup 2026 trademarks and copyrights. Most shipments originated from China and were destined for locations both within the United States and abroad.
CBP reported that e-commerce growth has made it easier for consumers to purchase products online but also increases opportunities for counterfeit goods to enter the U.S. economy through small packages sent via international mail or express environments. Over 90% of all counterfeit seizures occur through these channels.
In addition to sports-related merchandise like those recently seized at IAH airport in Houston, commonly counterfeited products include fake medications, perfumes, cosmetics, children’s toys and costumes, fashion accessories such as jewelry or luxury goods, as well as unsafe electronics or automotive parts which can pose health or safety risks due to inferior materials.
CBP encourages consumers to shop only from reputable sources online to avoid purchasing counterfeits that may endanger health or economic security.