HOUSTON – Houston is hosting some of the FIFA World Cup 2026 matches, and with that comes a heightened focus on human trafficking. A “No Trafficking Zone” has been established at the Houston stadium, where local law enforcement and nonprofits are working together to identify and stop human trafficking during the tournament.
15 prosecutors and investigators are currently working 24-hour rotations and will continue doing so for the duration of the World Cup’s time in Houston. Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare said an event of this size requires everyone to step up.
“They’re going to be there on the ground, laying eyes on things and advising our law enforcement partners all the way,” Teare said.
Prostitution concerns near fan events
Less than 10 miles from EaDo and downtown Houston — home to several watch parties and the Houston FIFA Fan Fest — sits the intersection of Tidwell and U.S. 59, an area where prostitution is a known concern. A sign reading “No Prostitution in This Corner” is posted nearby, right next to a school bus pickup and drop-off zone.
Residents living on that street declined to go on camera but told KPRC 2 that their top priority is the safety of children in the neighborhood. They said an increase in prostitution brings more traffic and more danger to kids in the area. Residents also noted that police patrols in the area come in waves, and they have not seen an immediate change.
Teare says that is changing.
“We’re getting smarter about holding these people accountable. And that’s just our everyday human trafficking. What we are going to have to do for FIFA is an order above that, an order of magnitude more,” Teare said.
Digital evidence key to prosecutions
One of the biggest tools prosecutors are using to combat human trafficking is a suspect’s digital footprint — especially in cases where victims are unwilling or unable to testify.
“You’d be amazed at the way that that proves the case in a lot of ways,” Teare said. “Getting to their cash app, getting to their messaging systems and into whatever device they’re utilizing to communicate — it makes the case a lot.”
Local nonprofit uses AI to track trafficking locations
A Houston-based nonprofit is also playing a critical role. Elijah Rising, an anti-sex trafficking organization, has already identified 500 locations across the city where trafficking could be occurring.
The organization says women, girls and minors are most vulnerable to sex trafficking. To find them, Elijah Rising is using artificial intelligence to crawl through websites and identify sex ads linked to a physical address.
With the World Cup drawing an international crowd, organizers say victims could be trafficked from inside and outside the country. To account for that, Elijah Rising has incorporated translation services into its response plan.
The organization is also prepared to serve as an emergency crisis point at any hour — whether that is 2 in the morning or late on a weekend night.
Speed is critical during World Cup
With FIFA in Houston, Teare says speed is everything. Investigating human trafficking during the World Cup means quickly reviewing surveillance footage at hotels, tracking down phone calls and messages before they are deleted, and ensuring all Houston patrols know to report anything suspicious.