Protecting Children & Adolescents During FIFA World Cup 2026

As the United States prepares to host the FIFA World Cup, millions of fans, tourists, workers, and local residents will come together across multiple cities. While mega sporting events bring celebration, economic activity, and global attention, they also create conditions that sex traffickers exploit. PACT is committed to prevention, awareness, and coordinated action to protect children and adolescents from sexual exploitation and trafficking in the lead-up to and during the 2026 World Cup.

Why Prevention Matters During Mega Sporting Events

Prevention is not about panic. It is about preparedness, awareness, and collective responsibility.

Large-scale sporting events like the FIFA World Cup are well documented as periods of increased risk for the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children and adolescents.

Traffickers take advantage of:

  • Large influxes of visitors and temporary workers

  • Increased demand for commercial sex and cheap labor

  • Overburdened local systems and unfamiliarity among tourists

  • Anonymity created by crowds, travel, and short-term lodging

These harms affect not only visitors and fans, but also local communities. Children, youth, migrants, and other vulnerable populations are disproportionately impacted, often long after the final match has been played.

Know the Red Flags

[Placeholder for indicators of trafficking and exploitation, including in hotels, transportation hubs, restaurants, bars, short-term rentals, and public spaces.]

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How to Report Safely

If you see something that doesn’t look right, trust your instincts. You do not need proof to make a report.

In the United States

  • National Human Trafficking Hotline
    Call: 1-888-373-7888
    Text: 233733 (BEFREE)
    Chat: Online reporting available
    Available 24/7, confidential, and multilingual

  • If someone is in immediate danger, call 911

Reporting to Local Authorities

  • Contact local law enforcement or designated authorities in host cities [Fill in if specific numbers / resources are available]

  • Follow guidance issued by local FIFA World Cup host committees and municipal agencies

Reporting can be done anonymously. Your safety and the safety of potential victims come first.

#WEPROTECTCHILDREN

#WEPROTECTCHILDREN

PACT proudly partners with ECPAT International to protect children from sexual exploitation and trafficking in the context of travel, tourism, and mega sporting events.

This global #WEPROTECTCHILDREN campaign mobilizes EVERYONE, from businesses, local authorities and partners to civil society, tourists and fans to:

  • Raise awareness about sexual exploitation and trafficking of children and adolescents during the FIFA World Cup 2026

  • Promote responsible tourism and business practices

  • Strengthen safe reporting and response mechanisms

  • Ensure children’s rights are upheld before, during, and after the World Cup

One Team. One Goal.

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How Businesses Can Get Involved

Businesses play a critical role in prevention, especially those in the travel, hospitality, transportation, and entertainment sectors.

PACT encourages businesses to:

  • Train staff to recognize and respond to red flags [Link to PACT trainings + ECPAT new training for hosts]

  • Establish clear internal reporting and escalation protocols

  • Display hotline information in visible, accessible areas

  • Commit to ethical business practices and survivor-centered responses

  • Partner with local organizations and coalitions focused on prevention

Hotels, short-term rental platforms, airlines, restaurants, bars, rideshare companies, and event venues are often on the front lines. Prepared staff can make a life-saving difference.

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PACT works with businesses of all sizes to support responsible engagement before, during, and after major events.

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Join Us!

Preventing trafficking and exploitation during the FIFA World Cup requires collective action. Whether you are a fan, a business owner, a community member, or a partner organization, you have a role to play.

Together, we can ensure that the World Cup is remembered not only for the game, but for a commitment to human dignity, safety, and justice.

Committed Partners