Houston activists sound alarm over sex trafficking resources ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup
“International events like the World Cup bring an influx of visitors, and we need to make sure Houston is prepared,” Organizers said in a news release. “We cannot wait until the international spotlight is on us — we must act before that wave hits.“
Advocates and community leaders gathered outside Houston City Hall on Monday morning, calling for increased funding and resources to combat sex trafficking ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors to Houston, one of several U.S. host cities.
The group, which included nonprofit leaders, faith-based organizations, and survivors, noted that Houston must act now to strengthen prevention and law enforcement efforts before the city hosts the international sporting event.
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Organizer Ivan Sanchez said the goal of Monday’s event, which included a “Freedom Ride Caravan” circling downtown, was to raise awareness and urge city officials to prioritize anti-trafficking programs.
“International events like the World Cup bring an influx of visitors, and we need to make sure Houston is prepared,” he said in a written statement. “We cannot wait until the international spotlight is on us — we must act before that wave hits.“
Advocates at the event cited recent trafficking-related arrests in the city, like the Bissonet Track, which is a notorious hub for prostitution.
”Houston already carries the shameful title of sex trafficking capital of the United States,“ Sanchez added. “The world does not say Bissonnet is the problem; the world says Houston is the problem.” 
Organizers admit the Houston Police Department and city officials have previously acknowledged human trafficking as an ongoing challenge, but said they’ve worked in recent years to strengthen enforcement and survivor services through local partnerships.
“This is not about politics. This is about people,” attorney Kim Bruno, a board member with Elijah Rising, a Houston-based nonprofit that supports trafficking survivors, added. “We want to show the world that Houston is serious about protecting its communities.”
