As the FIFA World Cup kicks off on 11 June, cybersecurity experts are warning South African fans that scammers are already exploiting the global sporting spectacle.
As excitement builds ahead of the FIFA World Cup on 11 June, South African football supporters are being warned that cybercriminals are preparing for kick off as well.
Cybersecurity experts at Palo Alto Networks say the 2026 FIFA World Cup represents the largest entertainment cyberattack surface ever created, with fraudsters already exploiting the event through fake ticket sales, phishing scams and malicious apps.
The tournament, the biggest in FIFA history, will run across 39 days and 16 host cities in North America, attracting an estimated five to six million spectators while millions more follow the action online.
According to Justin Lee, Regional Vice President for Sub Saharan Africa at Palo Alto Networks, both travelling supporters and those watching from home are vulnerable.
