PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 2, 2026

Most U.S. World Cup Host Cities Still Lack Publicly Available Draft Human Rights Plans and There is NO Dedicated Anti‑Trafficking Funding — Two Months Before Kickoff

Los Angeles, CA – The Sunita Jain Anti-Trafficking Initiative (SJI) released an updated report on the state of human rights plans among U.S. FIFA World Cup host cities. The SJI report, Status of Release of Human Rights Plans by FIFA Host Cities (U.S.), tracks progress across host cities and finds that most have not yet released comprehensive plans and that dedicated funding remains largely absent.

Findings: 

• U.S. host cities: 11. 

• U.S. host cities with no draft human rights or anti‑trafficking plan: 7 of 11 or 63%.

• U.S. host cities with a confirmed, publicly available finalized human rights plan prior to the World Cup: 1

• Recent movement: Since our last review, only Atlanta has published a finalized plan. Dallas and Houston remain at “Version 1,” with final plans expected in May 2026, while Boston has indicated a similar timeline. Los Angeles, Kansas City, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, and San Francisco have released no draft plan or only partial materials (such as executive summaries, statements, or programmatic initiatives).

• Funding gap: Publicly disclosed, dedicated prevention funding tied specifically to human rights or anti‑trafficking plans remains largely absent,  while most visible public investments are directed toward security and law enforcement.

Context and Key Concern: 

Mega‑events predictably increase demand for construction, hospitality, and temporary labor — conditions that raise the risk of labor trafficking. Yet current planning continues to emphasize sex‑trafficking awareness campaigns while largely neglecting labor trafficking, worker protections, procurement oversight, and survivor‑centered prevention. Without concrete funding and enforceable commitments, announced plans risk being symbolic rather than operational.

Report and Funding Recommendation (December 2025): 

SJI released Preventing and Addressing Human Trafficking Related to Major Sporting Events, which recommends that each organizing body dedicate $2.75–$3.1 million to anti‑trafficking enforcement, survivor services, independent evaluation, and worker protections — a modest investment representing far less than one percent of projected revenues.

Los Angeles Advocacy Efforts:  

In February, more than 50 leaders and organizations, backed by nine California legislators, called on the Los Angeles City Council to release the draft Human Rights Plans required from FIFA and LA28 for the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and to place those plans on the Los Angeles City Council agenda for public review.

On February 20, advocates, service providers, survivor leaders, and community organizations delivered public comments to the Los Angeles City Council, demanding immediate transparency and action. Coalition leaders emphasized urgency: the World Cup begins in less than two months, and Host City Agreement Human Rights Plans were due December 31, 2025. To date, there is no indication that the human rights plans have been agendized.

Statement from SJI Director Professor Stephanie Richard: 

“With only two months until kickoff and one month after our prior review, the picture is unchanged for most host cities: no funding, no finalized plans, and no meaningful protections for workers and vulnerable communities,” said Professor Stephanie Richard. “FIFA adopted a Human Rights Policy in 2017 promising better protections. That promise is at risk of being broken unless FIFA and host cities act now to fund prevention, finalize plans, and prioritize worker protections and survivor‑centered strategies.”

Local Voices and Urgency: 

"We stand with workers in stadiums, hotels, and airports who are on the front lines of issues like human trafficking. The Fair Games coalition is committed to ensuring protection and a safe environment for both guests and workers." - Fair Games Coalition

"It is alarming that with less than 2 months before kickoff FIFA has still not released it's human rights plan for Los Angeles and other cities. This is especially troubling as companies within the U.S. Supply Chain of Hyundai-Kia, one of FIFA’s major sponsors, have been tied to egregious human rights and labor abuses, including child labor and unsafe working conditions that have led to preventable worker fatalities.  We call on FIFA to immediately release it's human rights plan and for FIFA to take seriously ensuring worker protections and, most importantly, making sure no forced or coercive labor is used in making the World Cup happen. -Valerie Lizárraga, Assistant Director of Policy & Organizing (Western States), Jobs to Move America

Next Steps and Recommendations: 

SJI and coalition partners urge FIFA to take immediate action to prevent predictable harms associated with mega‑events:

• Allocate dedicated funding for human rights and anti‑trafficking prevention tied to tournament activities, with explicit line items for labor protections and community‑based prevention.

• Ensure all host cities have finalized and published comprehensive Human Rights Plans no later than May 2026, including concrete protocols for labor trafficking prevention, worker protections, and survivor services.

• Fund community‑based organizations and survivor‑led services to ensure culturally competent, trauma‑informed responses.

• For future events, FIFA must prioritize addressing labor trafficking in both planning and funding, including oversight of construction and hospitality supply chains, worker outreach, and enforceable labor protections. Human rights protections must be  implemented well in advance of the games to effectively address evidence-based risks.

• FIFA should adopt a standardized human rights plan for every future world cup it funds and establish mechanisms for monitoring and accountability to ensure plans are carried out—not just announced—and to strengthen future implementation.

About the Sunita Jain Anti‑Trafficking Initiative
The Sunita Jain Anti‑Trafficking Initiative at Loyola Law School advances survivor‑centered advocacy and policy reform to prevent human trafficking, strengthen protections, and reframe public understanding of justice and safety.

About Fair Games

The Fair Games Coalition is composed of more than 100 organizations including unions, community groups, housing advocates, and immigration leaders

About Jobs to Move America

Jobs to Move America is a strategic policy center that works to transform public spending and corporate behavior using a comprehensive approach that is rooted in racial and economic justice and community organizing. We seek to advance a fair and prosperous economy with good jobs and healthier communities for all

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