Webinar will feature researchers, law enforcement leaders, anti-trafficking advocates, and technology experts sharing data and frontline observations from the 2026 World Cup

At-a-Glance

• What: Demand and the World Cup: What the Data and Experience Tell Us

• When: Thursday, September 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. CST

• Who: Allies Against Slavery and five organizations involved in research, demand reduction, victim identification, and enforcement efforts during the World Cup

• Key Topic: Understanding the relationship between major sporting events and commercial sexual exploitation

• Registration: Register for the webinar

AUSTIN, Texas, August 26, 2026 – Allies Against Slavery will host a national webinar on September 3, 2026, bringing together leading researchers, anti-trafficking organizations, and law enforcement professionals to examine demand for commercial sexual exploitation during the FIFA World Cup and discuss what data, field observations, and prevention efforts reveal about the event's impact.

The webinar comes as public conversations around human trafficking and mega-events continue to focus on predictions of increased exploitation, often with limited attention paid to post-event analysis.

According to data from the GDELT Project, a global database that monitors online news coverage, media attention surrounding trafficking and the World Cup was significantly higher before the tournament than after it concluded. GDELT identified 849 articles before kickoff and 151 articles after the final match, highlighting the need for evidence-based discussions about what actually occurred and how future responses should be structured.

Why This Discussion Matters

Organizations responsible for prevention, victim services, public awareness campaigns, law enforcement operations, and resource allocation often make critical decisions before large-scale events begin. This webinar will explore what was observed during the World Cup, what the data suggests, and how anti-trafficking professionals can better prepare for future major events.

Participants will gain insights into:

• Commercial sex advertising activity across World Cup host cities

• Demand-reduction strategies and public awareness campaigns

• Human trafficking enforcement operations conducted during the tournament

• Cross-border collaboration among anti-trafficking organizations

• Emerging technology tools used to identify victims and provide support

Featured Speakers and Organizations

University of Alabama Institute of Data and Analytics

Researchers will present an analysis of commercial sex advertisement activity across World Cup host cities and discuss trends observed during the tournament.

DHS/HSI North Texas Human Trafficking Task Force

Representatives will share insights from a demand-focused enforcement operation conducted in North Texas during the World Cup.

Rights4Girls

The organization will discuss its national demand-reduction campaign, "Sex Buying Isn't a Game," which included billboard placements in six host markets: Atlanta, Dallas, Kansas City, Boston, Seattle, and New York/New Jersey.

It's A Penalty

Leaders will provide perspectives on multinational coordination efforts across Canada, Mexico, and the United States to raise awareness, identify victims, and connect individuals with support services.

The Parasol Cooperative

Speakers will examine activity and lessons learned from Ruth, the cooperative's trauma-informed AI support resource, during the tournament.

Executive Perspective

"We deserve to know what actually happened, or at least to do our best to understand the truth as much as we can. Because it impacts how we spend time and money, organize ourselves, and develop proactive disruption tactics," said John Nehme, President and CEO of Allies Against Slavery.

Webinar Details

Event: Demand and the World Cup: What the Data and Experience Tell Us
Date: Thursday, September 3, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. CST
Location: Zoom (access information provided upon registration)
Registration: Register for the webinar

About Allies Against Slavery

Allies Against Slavery works to prevent human trafficking through technology, research, collaboration, and survivor-centered solutions that help disrupt exploitation and support vulnerable populations.