With the FIFA World Cup 2026 set to kick off in less than two weeks, police have announced what they are calling the largest seizure of counterfeit soccer merchandise in Canadian history.

At a press conference on Monday, Toronto Police Service revealed that investigators uncovered a large-scale counterfeit operation supplying fake World Cup-related merchandise to retailers across the Greater Toronto Area.

The investigation began after a complaint was filed by Canadian Anti-Counterfeiting Network through legal representatives at Lipkus Law LLP. Authorities were eventually led to a warehouse in Mississauga where officers seized more than 16,000 counterfeit items, including jerseys, hats, flags, and other merchandise bearing the logos of brands such as FIFA, Nike, Adidas, and Puma.

Police estimate the seized merchandise had a street value exceeding $3.5 million.

A 41-year-old man from Milton and a 62-year-old man from Mississauga have both been charged with fraud over $5,000 and several additional fraud-related offences.

Investigators believe the operation had been running for an extended period and warned that counterfeit merchandise often extends beyond simple trademark violations. Authorities say profits from counterfeit goods can help fund organized crime networks and other illegal activities.

With World Cup excitement building across Canada, officials are urging fans to be cautious when purchasing jerseys and memorabilia. Experts recommend looking closely at product quality, checking for spelling errors on tags and branding, and being wary of prices that seem significantly lower than market value.

As Toronto prepares to host six World Cup matches this summer, authorities say protecting fans from scams and counterfeit merchandise remains a key priority.