The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism has urged football fans to watch the World Cup final and third-place play-off only through licensed websites and platforms, warning against illegal streaming and unauthorised sharing of match content.
In a statement on Friday, the ministry called on residents to avoid sharing or re-broadcasting copyrighted content without permission, stressing the importance of protecting intellectual property rights.
“Support your team and enjoy the matches responsibly,” the ministry said, urging fans not to share illegal streaming links for the decisive fixtures.
Under the UAE Copyright Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2021 on Copyright and Related Rights), accessing or distributing sports content from unauthorised sources is considered an infringement of intellectual property rights. Violators may face fines ranging from Dh10,000 to Dh100,000, with stricter penalties for commercial piracy.
Serious violations can also result in imprisonment, confiscation of equipment used for illegal distribution and the blocking of unauthorised streaming platforms.
In the MENA region, World Cup broadcast rights are traditionally held by beIN Sports, which provides live coverage through television and digital platforms. Its streaming service TOD also offers online access to matches for subscribers.