Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) led a bipartisan group of 17 senators in a letter to officials at the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) urging the organization to ensure they are investing and working to prevent human trafficking before, during, and after the 2026 World Cup. The senators requested that FIFA share information about the steps it is taking to keep people safe in host cities and across North America, and what resources they are providing to help support communities across the continent. This letter is co-led by Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), and Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.).
“The FIFA World Cup is considered the world’s largest sporting event and is expected to bring millions of fans to the United States,” wrote the senators. “[…] We want to make sure that FIFA is considering how to combat human trafficking not just in host cities, but throughout North America. This collaboration should include robust preventative measures, partnerships with law enforcement, and engagement with community organizations to ensure that this World Cup serves as a model for future events.”
“We respectfully request information about the comprehensive efforts FIFA is taking to support the Host City Committees in combatting human trafficking in host cities, states and across the continent, in addition to any financial commitments you are providing to Host Cities, local or national organizations and any education and training you are providing to your teams, players, and staff on the issue,” they continued. “We also request information about any efforts you are making with local and federal law enforcement and non-profits in advance of, during, and after the World Cup to support anti-trafficking and survivor assistance initiatives.”
The 2026 World Cup will be the largest ever held, with 78 matches to be hosted in 11 American cities. Millions of visitors are expected to travel to the United States for the event. Given the risks of human trafficking associated with mass travel and a large sporting event, the senators are urging FIFA to take proactive steps to prevent trafficking.
The full text of the letter can be found here.
Senator Cortez Masto is an outspoken advocate for the survivors of human trafficking and sexual assault. Before Las Vegas hosted Super Bowl LVIII and the 2024 F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, Senator Cortez Masto led similar letters, working with the lead sports organizations to support initiatives to combat human trafficking in Las Vegas. Her bipartisan federal bills to help train law enforcement to identify and prevent human trafficking through airports and combat human trafficking activity on social media were signed into law. She has introduced the bipartisan Jimmy Deal Trafficking Survivors Assistance Act to help human trafficking survivors access air travel so they can escape traffickers and get the care they need. And, she has co-sponsored bipartisan legislation that would prevent the trafficking of children by providing grants for the training of students, parents, and school personnel to respond to the signs of human trafficking.
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