The Guardia Civil has seized more than 1,200 counterfeit football kits linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup during two operations in Gran Canaria, with the fake merchandise estimated to be worth more than €97,000.
The raids were carried out by officers from the Fiscal and Border Patrol Unit in the municipalities of Ingenio and Telde following a complaint from an authorised representative of a sports brand. The report alleged that counterfeit replica kits bearing protected trademarks were being sold to the public.
Investigators traced the suspected goods to several retail outlets before carrying out inspections. The first operation took place on 18th June at a shop in Carrizal, Ingenio, where officers seized 529 counterfeit shirts and shorts with an estimated market value of €36,500.
The shop owner is being investigated on suspicion of an offence relating to industrial property rights, and all of the seized items were removed from sale pending court proceedings.
A second operation followed on 21st June at a street market in Telde, where officers confiscated a further 740 fake football kits valued at around €61,375. Together, the two operations resulted in the seizure of 1,269 counterfeit items in just a few days.
Among the kits seized were replicas of several of the world's most popular national teams, including Spain, Germany, Argentina, England and Portugal, along with other countries set to compete in the 2026 World Cup.
The Guardia Civil said demand for football shirts typically rises ahead of major international tournaments, making them a common target for counterfeit sellers. They warned that fake products not only infringe trademark rights but can also leave consumers paying for goods that do not meet the quality standards of official merchandise.
The case has now been referred to the investigating court in Telde, which will continue enquiries into the sale of the counterfeit goods. Authorities have also reminded the public that selling products bearing unauthorised registered trademarks is a criminal offence under Spanish law.
