MAJOR SPORTING EVENTS

PREVENTING TRAFFICKING AHEAD OF THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP & 2028 OLYMPIC GAMES

The Problem

Large sporting events often require rapid construction, expanded tourism infrastructure, temporary labor, and complex subcontracting systems. Workers in construction, hospitality, transportation, janitorial services, and other low-wage industries may face increased risks of exploitation when strong labor protections and oversight are not in place. Migrant workers, temporary workers, and those experiencing economic insecurity can be especially vulnerable to unsafe working conditions, wage theft, recruitment abuse, and labor trafficking.

Historically, conversations around major sporting events have often focused narrowly on sensationalized claims about sex trafficking while overlooking the very real risks of labor exploitation tied to these events. Without transparency, accountability, and coordinated prevention efforts, harmful labor practices can remain hidden throughout the planning and implementation of major games.

Our Goal

SJI is working to address these risks ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games through policy advocacy, public education, and systems-level prevention efforts. Through our report, Preventing and Addressing Human Trafficking Related to Major Sporting Events, we developed recommendations for the City and County focused on strengthening worker protections, improving oversight, increasing coordination across agencies, and investing in prevention and survivor-centered responses.

In addition, we have advocated for the City and County to make human rights reports related to LA28 and FIFA publicly available. Transparency and public accountability are essential to ensuring protections are implemented before harm occurs.

The Impact

Our work aims to ensure that preparations for the World Cup and Olympics include meaningful protections for workers and vulnerable communities from the start. By centering labor rights, public awareness, and prevention, we hope to help Los Angeles build a model for safer and more accountable major sporting events.

Through community outreach materials, policy recommendations, and ongoing advocacy, SJI is working to promote long-term protections that extend beyond the games themselves and strengthen anti-trafficking and worker protection efforts across Los Angeles County.

KEY RECOMMENDATIONS

Building on our research findings, the report identifies key actions the City and County can take to prevent labor trafficking and protect workers before, during, and after the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympic Games. These recommendations center on prevention, accountability, and enforcement.

Key recommendations include:

• Strengthen awareness and training by enforcing existing posting and training requirements and expanding public education efforts
• Improve oversight of contracts and vendors by enforcing procurement rules and ensuring companies follow labor and human rights standards
• Increase coordination across agencies and service providers to improve access to services and respond effectively to risks
• Protect immigrant and vulnerable workers by ensuring safeguards are in place and separating worker protections from immigration enforcement
• Expand support for survivors through increased funding for hotlines, services, and a dedicated victim fund
• Invest in long term prevention efforts by supporting innovative, community-based strategies
• Ensure accountability through evaluation by funding independent reviews of human rights and anti-trafficking efforts

OUTREACH & AWARENESS

Human trafficking does not stop during major events, and prevention requires a community-wide response rooted in awareness, safety, and worker protections.

To help raise awareness and promote community safety, we are sharing a series of flyers and outreach materials focused on recognizing warning signs of trafficking and exploitation, promoting safe reporting and access to support resources, and supporting workers and communities impacted by major sporting events.

We hope you will help us amplify these materials by:

• Sharing them with your networks and community members
• Posting them on social media and community bulletin boards
• Including them in newsletters, trainings, and outreach efforts
• Distributing them to workers, youth, immigrant communities, and service providers

FOLLOW US

Stay connected by following us on social media, where we share updates on our advocacy, highlight survivor-centered initiatives, and post opportunities to get involved.