HONG KONG — Hong Kong customs authorities announced the seizure of about 230,000 suspected counterfeit items worth an estimated $20 million linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including thousands of fake jerseys, just hours before the tournament kicked off, officials said on June 11, 2026.
The operation, codenamed “Clean Sheet,” ran from May 26 to June 10 and resulted in the arrest of six people. About 80 percent of the seized goods were intended for export to the Americas, where the World Cup is being hosted, according to customs officials.
The haul included around 30,000 suspected fake jerseys, some of high quality and difficult for ordinary consumers to distinguish from authentic team shirts, Wayne Chung, a senior inspector at Hong Kong’s customs department, said at a news conference. Other items seized included shoes, watches, speakers, bags and counterfeit FIFA World Cup trophies.
Customs officers acted on intelligence from cyber patrols monitoring online sales and cross-boundary shipments. The cases involved suspected infringement of intellectual property rights related to the tournament.
Hong Kong has long served as a transit hub for counterfeit goods, and authorities regularly conduct operations against such activities, particularly ahead of major sporting events. FIFA and trademark holders have intensified global efforts to combat piracy of World Cup merchandise.
“The quality of some of these counterfeits is very high,” Chung noted, highlighting the challenge for enforcement.
The six suspects, aged between 17 and 30, were arrested in connection with the production, sale and export of the fake goods. Charges were expected to be laid under intellectual property laws.
As the World Cup began with its opening matches on June 11, 2026, the operation underscored ongoing efforts to protect official merchandise and legitimate businesses. Details on the final disposition of the seized items or outcomes for the arrested individuals remain subject to legal proceedings. Hong Kong customs officials continue monitoring for related activities.
