FIFA Copyright Clash: Creator Loses Account Over Viral Videos

Will Atkinson, a social media user from Sydney, faced significant repercussions after posting viral videos during the FIFA World Cup. FIFA accused him of copyright infringement, leading to his videos being removed from Instagram. This action negatively impacted his ability to secure brand partnerships, costing him potential earnings of over $25,000 in the latter half of 2026. Atkinson had been actively building his career as a social media influencer since March. He had previously gained attention for creative content, including a video where he raced and outran a Sydney train. Despite paying for Meta's "Meta Verified" subscription for creators, Atkinson struggled to get a clear resolution from Instagram's owner regarding the copyright strikes. His account was eventually suspended entirely after a video featuring English footballer Jude Bellingham went viral, garnering 12 million views in ten hours. Atkinson is now seeking legal recourse against both FIFA and Meta, with lawyers having sent letters of demand, in an effort to have his account reinstated and address the financial and emotional toll the situation has taken.