More than 2.1 million World Cup counterfeits seized by OLAF

The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) announced this Wednesday that, at the 2026 Football World Cup, more than 2.1 million counterfeit items were seized, with an estimated value of around €132 million.

Counterfeit production and products

During the operation, Spanish customs authorities dismantled a factory near Madrid that produced counterfeit garments on demand, with an annual capacity of 800 000 units, and also uncovered counterfeit food and beverages, such as potato chips and whisky bottles.

The seized items include clothing, sports shoes, caps, socks, toys, keyrings, flags and trophies.

OLAF collaborated in the shutdown of 3 300 online stores and the removal of more than 419 000 listings, whose value is estimated at around €4.2 million.

"Counterfeit products linked to major sporting events harm legitimate businesses and public revenues. No authority can tackle this problem on its own," said the director general of OLAF, Petr Klement.

Customs authorities from 23 EU member states took part in the operation, as well as those from Brazil, Canada, Egypt, Mexico, Morocco, Senegal, Turkey, the Colombian Fiscal and Customs Police (POLFA), the United States Intellectual Property Rights Center and AMERIPOL.

"I had to curse with no one hearing me," commented Yaca Garcia-Planas.

Manu Carreño defended Lamine, stating: "It's the first time in history that we have the best player in the world."

Yaca Garcia-Planas also highlighted the seriousness of counterfeiting in sporting events.