Spain seizes 16 tons of counterfeit jerseys for 2026 World Cup
Spain's National Police seized more than 66,000 counterfeit jerseys and national team kits in a joint operation with INTERPOL, EUROPOL, EUIPO and OLAF.
This was reported by the agency's press service.
The total weight of the counterfeit products amounted to 16 tons. During the operation, 95 people were detained on suspicion of crimes against industrial property.
As El Mundo writes, searches were carried out at more than 15 locations across Spain, including Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, as well as the cities of Elche and Denia (Alicante province). The investigation began in April 2026 ahead of the World Cup. Law enforcement officers identified a significant flow of counterfeit products that were to enter Spain. The bulk of the fakes consisted of copies of the Spanish national team's kit.
The seized counterfeits imitated the design, emblems and distinctive elements of various national teams, but their quality was "significantly lower" than the original products. The counterfeits were planned to be sold through markets, street trading, e-commerce platforms and social networks.
The value of the seized products on the black market is estimated at €2 million. The damage to rights holders, according to police estimates, exceeds €7 million.
Similar operations have taken place in other countries as well. Toronto police confiscated more than 16,000 counterfeit jerseys and flags with FIFA logos, as well as two counterfeit World Cup trophies. The total value of the seized products is estimated at $2.5 million. In Hong Kong, a police operation seized about 230,000 counterfeit goods, including around 30,000 jerseys, boots, goalkeeper gloves, bags and audio speakers worth $20 million.
