A Bright Light Shines
Anti-Trafficking Operations During the 2026 FIFA World Cup
It’s a sad reality that major sporting events carry the risk of human exploitation. But this is what happens when visitors flood a city, creating high demand for hotels, upgraded and additional infrastructure and hospitality services. Human exploitation is also linked to counterfeit goods like soccer jerseys—much of which is made in unregulated factories that operate beyond the reach of labor inspectors, with some workers in forced labor. I wrote about these issues during the recent FIFA World Cup.
But a more interesting and positive story is what happened next. Coordinated anti-trafficking operations across the country led to dozens of arrests of suspected traffickers, with many survivors freed, including children.
Three examples:
An anti-trafficking task force in Northern California carried out 66 coordinated operations across 11 counties during the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches held in Santa Clara. 25 suspected human traffickers were arrested; while 53 survivors, including 11 children were identified, along with 41 suspected sex buyers. The operation brought together law enforcement, social workers, survivor advocates and analysts from various counties. Authorities focused on getting survivors support. A similar operation took place during the Super Bowl when authorities arrested dozens of suspected traffickers, and rescued survivors.
In a similar crackdown during the World Cup, New York City’s NYPD launched a major anti-trafficking operation, which led to 89 arrests and the rescue of 43 people—seven of whom were children. The operation involved monitoring online exploitation, conducting surveillance at large World Cup parties, and checking on known traffickers and offenders. Survivor advocates were embedded in operations so survivors could receive immediate support after being removed from exploitative situations.
In the Kansas City area, where World Cup matches drew hundreds of thousands of visitors, more than 15 local, state and federal agencies—including the FBI, the Kansas City Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, the US Marshals Service, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, as well as police and sheriff’s departments, carried out 17 coordinated operations—resulting in the arrest of 19 suspects while locating nine missing children considered at high risk of having been trafficked. Another nine possible victims were connected to services including emergency housing, medical care and other support services.
These operations held during the World Cup show what’s possible with heightened awareness, a sense of urgency, additional resources and a huge commitment to working together to disrupt human trafficking. These big wins should rightly be celebrated, and yet we should never forget that human trafficking happens in our cities and communities every day.