As Houston welcomes massive crowds for FIFA World Cup events, local organizations and law enforcement agencies are working to address a less visible concern: human trafficking.

Move over, soccer stars. Ranch dressing may be the most surprising breakout star of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

A Texas family says their dream of attending a FIFA World Cup match at Houston Stadium was shattered less than 24 hours before kickoff when they learned the tickets they purchased months earlier would not be delivered.

Houston is back in the global spotlight on Tuesday as another FIFA World Cup match takes over the city.

When the NBA Finals tipped off, Sesame Street’s Elmo tried to play both sides. After that strategy was met with a surprisingly violent reaction, the famous Muppet finally decided it was time to pledge an allegiance.

Houston's first major heat stretch of the summer is here, and doctors say most people don't know the warning signs until it's too late. As thousands pack downtown for FIFA and Juneteenth celebrations, medical experts are urging everyone heading outside this weekend to know the difference between feeling hot and being in danger. Here's what to watch for and how to stay safe.

At the FIFA Fan Fest in Houston, social media star @iShowSpeed energized fans by signing and launching a soccer ball before the Mexico-South Korea World Cup match, later drawing crowds to OhMyGogi’s food truck for Korean-Mexican fusion tacos.

FIFA Fan Festival Houston has temporarily paused entry after reaching capacity.

Houston restaurants expected World Cup crowds. Many fans are chasing fast-food bucket lists instead

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has taken Houston by storm, with hundreds of international fans traveling to the city for the first time.

Houston is no stranger to scorching summers, but for thousands of international visitors in town for the FIFA World Cup, the city’s blistering heat and humidity are a culture shock unlike anything they have experienced before.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 has brought together fans from across the world to share in the excitement of each game.

The East End District is offering fans an affordable parking option ahead of FIFA FanFest and upcoming matches in Houston.

Cristiano Ronaldo looks to make history by becoming the first player to score a goal in six World Cups when Portugal meets Congo on Wednesday.

German soccer fan FreddyLA7, whose World Cup road trip has gone viral online, visited Houston, met local leaders, attended an Astros game, and shared his Texas adventures with more than 600,000 followers.

FIFA officials say the FIFA Fan Festival will be open for reduced hours on Tuesday due to continued inclement weather affecting the city.

It would have been unthinkable at the start of the 2022 World Cup to suggest Cristiano Ronaldo was anything other than the undisputed leader of the Portugal team.

Curaçao has officially been recognized by Guinness World Records as the smallest nation ever to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, marking a historic milestone just days before its tournament debut on Sunday.

For many downtown business owners, restaurant managers and bar staff, the anticipated surge of customers tied to the World Cup has yet to materialize.

FIFA Fan Festival Houston will be closed Monday, June 15, due to anticipated severe weather and guidance from public safety officials, organizers announced Sunday evening.

Houston hosts its first FIFA World Cup match as Germany faces Curaçao, marking the latter's tournament debut.

Everything you need to know when it comes to 2026 FIFA World Cup traffic and how to save time and stress

First responders and vendors heading to Houston Stadium for the FIFA World Cup game between Germany and Curaçao faced significant traffic delays due to congestion on the South Loop feeder road.

KPRC 2 News followed two families through Fan Fest and tracked spending on parking, food, drinks and merchandise to answer a simple question: What does a “free” day at Fan Fest really cost?

Elotes Bravos, a Houston family business that began as a street cart selling Mexican street corn, has grown into a prominent vendor at major venues, culminating in a spot at the FIFA Fan Fest for the 2026 World Cup in Houston's EaDo neighborhood.

Drivers traveling along the Southwest Freeway are still navigating rough pavement, lane closures and construction zones as a major paving project continues alongside World Cup-related improvements near the Montrose area.

Houston is hosting a series of family-friendly and soccer-themed events to celebrate the FIFA World Cup, including free watch parties at Sugar Land Town Square, a Summer Soccer Celebration at Levy Park, and special activities at the Children's Museum Houston.

FIFA Fan Festival tips on how and where to stay cool as Houston's summer temperatures take over.

Parking at Houston Stadium during the FIFA World Cup is expensive and traffic is expected to be heavy, making METRO public transit the most cost-effective option for attendees, with $3 all-day passes and free Community Connection service in several neighborhoods.

For the first time in FIFA World Cup history, autonomous vehicles will be part of the transportation plan for fans attending matches, with Waymo set to offer rides throughout Houston during the tournament.

The countdown is on for the FIFA World Cup 2026, and Houston Stadium is nearly ready to welcome fans from around the world.

Houston is drying out and heating back up before another round of tropical moisture attempts to approach the gulf coast next week.

Houston-area transit riders can expect more frequent trains, expanded bus service and extended operating hours during the FIFA World Cup 2026, according to the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO).

Chandelier and lamps reminiscent of “Harry Potter” or “Titanic” have been installed in Mexico City's busy Hidalgo metro station.

A Houston man says he spent $22,000 on FIFA World Cup hospitality tickets after a sales representative showed him lower-level seating sections, only to later receive tickets in the upper deck. FIFA's official hospitality provider says the reassignment was a complimentary upgrade.

Houston’s FIFA World Cup 2026 celebration kicks into high gear as the FIFA Fan Festival opens in East Downtown, creating a free gathering place for soccer fans to watch matches, enjoy live entertainment and experience the excitement surrounding the world’s largest sporting event.

FIFA World Cup 2026 is just days away from kicking off in Houston. Ride METRO is offering routes to avoid a commute headache during FIFA.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended World Cup ticket prices by saying they align with North American sports.

Houston will host seven FIFA World Cup 2026 matches. Here's everything fans need to know about NRG Stadium, parking, Fan Fest, transportation, hotels and more.

With the FIFA World Cup 2026 set to bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to Houston this summer, CenterPoint Energy says it has spent more than a year preparing the region’s electric and natural gas infrastructure for the global event.

Mexico City welcomes the world with the opening ceremonies of the FIFA World Cup on Thursday, but social tensions are rising.

Looking for a FIFA World Cup 2026™ watch party in Houston? "Pitch Live" combines big-screen match viewing, headline performers, Texas-inspired food, luxury hospitality and exclusive VIP experiences in a massive 34-day pop-up in EaDo.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into FIFA over allegations that the organization misled fans about the location and quality of seats sold for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Texas summer heat can be dangerous, especially for visitors unfamiliar with the state's combination of high temperatures and humidity. As World Cup fans spend hours outdoors at matches, fan festivals, and other events, knowing the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke could help prevent a medical emergency.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 Houston Host Committee will host a series of meet-and-greet sessions with U.S. soccer legends at the FIFA Fan Festival Houston, giving fans opportunities to connect with former national team stars such as Clint Dempsey, Cobi Jones, and others. These appearances, scheduled throughout the tournament, highlight the achievements and contributions of players who helped shape American soccer. The festival, held in East Downtown Houston, will also feature live match broadcasts, entertainment, and local food and drink offerings as part of the World Cup festivities.

The World Cup referee from Somalia who was denied entry to the United States after arriving in Miami and subsequently dropped from the tournament by FIFA had been set to make history for his country.

An international football star and an American football star crossed paths in Aggieland over the weekend.

Meet the visionaries who captured the spirit of Houston in a remix for FIFA World Cup 2026™.

As Houston prepares to welcome visitors for the FIFA World Cup 2026, city leaders are investing $7.5 million to improve safety along one of the city’s most heavily used hike-and-bike corridors: the Columbia Tap Trail.

Columbia Tap Trail safety improvements ahead of World Cup

If you’re heading to a concert, sporting event or entertainment district in Houston this summer, don’t be surprised if you notice more Texas Department of Public Safety troopers on patrol.

Soccer fans can celebrate the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 with a new lineup of limited-time meals and collectibles at McDonald’s.

Houston’s homeless services hub at 419 Emancipation Avenue is now operating under a soft opening after months of questions about when the facility would begin serving clients.

With Houston set to take center stage during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Texas officials are urging residents and visitors to download a free safety app that could help prevent crimes and potential threats before they happen.

With the FIFA World Cup 2026 set to arrive in Houston in just days, federal law enforcement officials are warning the public to stay alert and report suspicious activity as massive crowds begin pouring into the city.

Houston leaders say they’ve spent more than two years planning for World Cup-related events — and that the goal is to be ready to handle the influx of visitors while keeping everyday police, fire and EMS response steady across the city.

As Houston prepares to welcome the world’s biggest sporting event, a new environmental analysis suggests the city could face a significant sustainability challenge during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

American soccer players learned of their World Cup selections in dramatically different settings.

Houston leaders continue to describe the FIFA World Cup 2026 as a major economic opportunity for the region — but early indicators suggest the hospitality industry is still waiting for that boom to materialize.

As Houston prepares to welcome soccer fans from around the world for the FIFA World Cup 2026, downtown business owners are hoping a newly transformed Main Street corridor will bring a surge of visitors — and much-needed economic momentum.

U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino says he's open to staying with the American national team after the World Cup.

The FBI is warning fans about fake FIFA websites targeting those seeking information or tickets for the 2026 World Cup, including in Houston. Cybercriminals are creating convincing copycat sites using slightly altered web addresses to steal personal and financial information. These scams, known as 'typo squatting,' involve domains with misspellings or unusual endings and are expected to increase as the tournament approaches. Officials advise visiting FIFA’s official site directly, bookmarking legitimate pages, and reporting suspected scams to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.

As the FIFA World Cup kicks off in just two weeks, Houston soccer fans may want to budget a little extra for their game-day food orders.

With the FIFA World Cup just weeks away, Houston and Harris County leaders say security preparations are already underway to handle what could be one of the largest events in the city’s history.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport has been designated as one of three U.S. entry points for travelers arriving from countries affected by an Ebola outbreak, as Houston prepares to host World Cup matches next month.

Houston is set to host FIFA World Cup matches, but some fans say they’re paying hundreds of dollars for tickets without fully understanding what they’re getting.

FIFA is under fresh scrutiny for sky-high World Cup ticket prices and sales tactics that fans say left them with worse deals than they wanted.

The only member of Haiti’s national soccer team who is based in the troubled Caribbean country is awaiting a U.S. visa to join the squad in Florida just weeks before the start of the World Cup.

With just weeks to go before Houston hosts its first FIFA World Cup match, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo addressed growing public concerns Monday over Ebola cases connected to central Africa and what that could mean for the region during the international event.

As Houston prepares for an influx of visitors during FIFA World Cup-related events, a new community effort in Third Ward is giving residents a closer look at something they can’t always see — the air they breathe.

With the FIFA World Cup just weeks away from arriving in Houston, officials are preparing for a massive influx of visitors and major traffic impacts across the city.

As Houston prepares to welcome thousands of visitors for major events like the FIFA World Cup, child safety advocates are encouraging parents to start important conversations now about protecting children both online and in public spaces.

Houston hoteliers anticipated a tourism gold rush when the city landed FIFA World Cup matches, rooms sold out months in advance, premium rates, and visitors flooding in from across the globe.

Colombian superstar Shakira and Afrobeats icon Burna Boy have released the official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem.

Global Citizen is gearing up for its biggest event yet: the first-ever FIFA World Cup halftime show.

The METRO Police Department in Houston has introduced a real-time translation system to aid communication during emergencies and major events ahead of the FIFA World Cup.

Waymo is expanding its autonomous ride-hailing service in Houston, growing its coverage area to nearly 50 square miles and adding several major destinations across the city.

Houston’s 8th Wonder Brewery is accusing its landlord of trying to push the company out of its longtime East Downtown property as the value of nearby land surges ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Trump administration is suspending a requirement that foreign visitors from countries that have qualified for the World Cup and have bought tickets for the soccer tournament pay as much as $15,000 in bonds to enter the United States.

U.S. hotels say the promised economic boon from the World Cup hasn’t materialized yet for them.

What is normally home to football games is now a full-scale construction zone as NRG Stadium undergoes a dramatic transformation ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The FIFA World Cup is coming to Houston in just 36 days, but for many locals, the biggest question isn’t excitement—it’s affordability.

With just over 44 days until the World Cup comes to Houston, many homeowners are considering turning their properties into short-term rentals.

With 50 days until Houston hosts the FIFA World Cup, the city is about to see some of its most visible changes yet, and residents will start noticing the transformation almost immediately.

Houston's Reliant Stadium will play host to seven FIFA World Cup matches between June 14 and July 4. The events will attract approximately 500,000 fans from around the world.

With excitement building for the FIFA World Cup 2026, many Houston-area fans are experiencing sticker shock when it comes to ticket prices.

A big community event is bringing together families, local leaders, and athletes for a world record attempt at Hermann Park. It's all happening as Houston gets ready for the World Cup. Watch the video player above to see how you can join the action.

Houston rapper and business owner Bun B is joining hundreds of young soccer players, families and community leaders who are expected to gather in Houston this weekend for a record-breaking attempt tied to the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026.

And the countdown to the World Cup is on, and Houston restaurants are preparing for a major boom. We're talking global flavors, packed dining rooms, and a huge economic opportunity. This week, there will be a preview of what could be on menus across the city when restaurants and vendors attend the Sysco food show this week. Visit this link to register your restaurant

FIFA has fined the Israeli soccer federation for breaching anti-discrimination regulations but it took no action on a Palestinian request to suspend Israel from global soccer for allowing clubs based in West Bank settlements.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup quickly approaching, Houston leaders say the city is working against the clock to improve streets, sidewalks, and drainage before hundreds of thousands of visitors arrive.

The World Anti-Doping Agency has put off a decision about barring government officials from major sporting events if their countries voluntarily withhold dues.

Iran’s Embassy in Mexico has suggested the country is negotiating with FIFA to move Iran’s World Cup matches from the U.S. to Mexico after President Donald Trump discouraged the team from attending the tournament, citing safety concerns.

The World Anti-Doping Agency is considering rewriting its rules to try barring President Donald Trump and all U.S. government officials from attending the LA Olympics in 2028.

FIFA is still anticipating that Iran's national team will be allowed to come to the United States, even with war going on between the countries, and compete in the World Cup that begins in about three months.

UEFA says it still plans for Qatar to stage the Argentina vs.

With 100 days to go until the World Cup, the Iran war has added a new layer of complexity to the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lewis Hamilton are among the sports stars whose schedules are in doubt because of the spreading war in the Middle East.

Iran’s place at the men’s soccer World Cup in three months’ time has been put in doubt amid an escalating Middle East conflict sparked by tournament co-host the United States.

The faces of Mexico’s disappeared paint the streets of Mexico’s second biggest city of Guadalajara.