Exclusive | DHS to hunt for counterfeit FIFA jerseys flooding market before World Cup final match in NJ

Department of Homeland Security agents aren’t just guarding the crowds at the World Cup final in New Jersey — they’re also on the hunt for a flood of fake Messi and Mbappé jerseys.The agency’s investigators in Newark have seized 3,323 counterfeit jerseys worth an estimated $49,450 during the 39-day tourney and expect more before Sunday’s finale, which is expected to draw roughly 80,000 fans — including President Trump — into MetLife Stadium.Officials tracking the phony goods expect those numbers to skyrocket in the final frenzied hours before Argentina takes on Spain.“They’re shipping these jerseys where the teams are playing.They want to get the jerseys closest to the stadium,” Customs and Border Protection spokesman Michael Scappechio told The Post.

“We’ve got the finals here in our backyard here at MetLife (stadium).“We’re going to see a pickup.”One recent Newark Liberty International Airport raid uncovered 1,100 fake kits packed inside an air cargo shipment.Smugglers often conceal the knockoffs — typically manufactured in Asian countries — among unrelated cargo.“Sometimes they just completely mischaracterize their shipments,” Scappechio said.The agency made similar busts in Kansas City, where 4,000 counterfeits kits, valued at $550,000, were confiscated.

But that’s a drop in the bucket for a multi-billion market where official team jerseys complete with Nike or Puma labels and the latest wicking technology go for up to $185 apiece.Photos reviewed by The Post show stacks of knockoff Lionel Messi jerseys after Argentina’s thrilling semifinal victory Wednesday over England, along with Mexico’s signature green kits.Other snaps show suitcases packed with Cristiano Ronaldo jerseys prior to Spain eliminating Portugal on July 6.

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