As the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off, ACI Worldwide (NASDAQ: ACIW), a leader in global payments technology, has released a critical analysis highlighting an alarming trend: fraud attempts have surged more than threefold at previous World Cups, posing significant risks to fans and ticket sellers alike.

1. Fraud Patterns Resurface

The report, based on a comprehensive analysis of 24.5 million transactions across 61 live-event merchants, indicates that the fraudulent activities observed during past major tournaments, such as Copa America 2024 and the 2022 World Cup, are re-emerging. With the tournament being hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, ACI anticipates that fraud pressure will remain heightened throughout the early stages of the event.

Key Insights from ACI’s Data

ACI Worldwide’s extensive monitoring capabilities allow the company to identify coordinated fraud activities early, distinguishing between genuine fan demand and criminal behavior. Here are the pivotal findings:

Fraud Peaks Before and After Events: The analysis shows that card-not-present attempted fraud reached 4% of transaction value during the lead-up to Copa America 2024, averaging 3.6 times the baseline established in 2023. This fraud window typically opens weeks prior to the first match and continues long after the tournament concludes.

Alternative Payment Methods (APMs) Show Resilience: APMs demonstrated a significantly lower attempted fraud rate of 0.57%, in stark contrast to the 3.97% rate for traditional cards. This sevenfold difference underscores the growing adoption of APMs, which increased from 7% of transactions in 2022 to 24.8% year-to-date in 2026.

High-Value Purchases Targeted: Fraudulent transactions averaged $405, significantly higher than the legitimate average of $270. This trend raises concerns about the risk of false declines for genuine fans purchasing high-value tickets.

Domestic Cards at Greater Risk: The data indicates that domestic cards recorded a 3.2% attempted fraud rate, compared to 1.4% for cross-border cards, suggesting that fraudsters prefer locally issued credentials.

International Card Activity as a Warning Signal: The share of cross-border card transactions increased from an average of 7.53% to 11.47% in the lead-up to Copa America 2024. In May 2026, this figure was already at 10.83%, surpassing the annual average of 7.16%.

2. The Increasing Threat of Cyber Fraud

The rising tide of fraud is compounded by the use of automation and artificial intelligence by cybercriminals. A recent analysis from Silent Push identified over 300 replica ticketing websites that mimic official platforms, while Check Point Research reported nearly 10,000 fraudulent World Cup-related domains registered in April 2026 alone—almost four times the number registered during the 2022 tournament.

Law enforcement agencies have also sounded the alarm. The FBI released a public service announcement advising fans to navigate directly to fifa.com to avoid fraudulent links, as reported losses can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars per incident, driven by scams related to fake ticketing and hospitality offers.

In Canada, authorities have issued warnings about fraudulent ticket portals, while Mexico's consumer protection agency has initiated a campaign against ticket reselling platforms, estimating that victims could lose between 1,000 to 100,000 pesos (approximately $55 to $5,500).

3. Expert Insights

Jackie Barwell, Director of Fraud Product Management at ACI Worldwide, emphasized the importance of vigilance in the lead-up to the tournament. “The clearest warning sign isn’t match day itself. It’s the days and weeks before kick-off, when attempted fraud rises, cross-border card activity increases, and fans start hunting for tickets, often under pressure,” she stated. Barwell added that ACI’s global network allows them to differentiate between genuine fan demand and fraudulent behavior, helping merchants approve legitimate purchases while minimizing scams.

4. Staying Safe: Tips for Fans

As excitement builds for the World Cup, ACI Worldwide offers several recommendations for fans to protect themselves:

Stick to Official Sources: Purchase tickets only from authorized sellers or official resale platforms.

Go Direct: Manually enter known web addresses rather than clicking on ads or links.

Beware of Deals That Seem Too Good to Be True: Exercise caution with prices below face value or claims of “guaranteed” access to sold-out matches.

Choose Secure Payment Methods: Opt for payment methods that offer dispute or chargeback protection, especially for high-value transactions.

Be Cautious of Unsolicited Offers: Treat unexpected communications offering tickets or packages with skepticism, particularly those that create a sense of urgency.

5. Conclusion

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, ACI Worldwide's insights serve as a crucial reminder of the heightened risks associated with major sporting events. Fans must remain vigilant and informed to navigate the complex landscape of ticket purchasing, ensuring they enjoy the tournament safely while minimizing the risk of falling victim to fraud.

Original press release