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As North Texas prepares to host one of the largest sporting events in the world, local leaders say the region must also prepare for a less visible reality: an increased risk of human trafficking.
At a Metrocrest Area Chamber “Lunch & Learn” event in Farmers Branch, more than 25 business and community members gathered to hear from advocates working on the front lines of victim support and prevention ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The tournament, scheduled from June 11 through July 19, will bring an unprecedented number of visitors to the region. Arlington’s AT&T Stadium will host nine matches, including a semifinal.
Local officials and tourism groups estimate roughly 3.8 million visitors could pass through the Dallas-Fort Worth area during the event, with daily crowds nearing 100,000 people and a regional economic impact projected between $1.5 billion and $2.1 billion.
That surge in visitors, advocates say, creates opportunity, not just for businesses, but for traffickers.
Natalie Alonzo, education and outreach director for the Poiema Foundation, told attendees that large-scale events historically correlate with increased trafficking activity, particularly in the form of sex and labor exploitation.
Texas already faces significant challenges. Data presented during the event estimated that more than 300,000 people in the state are victims of human trafficking, including tens of thousands of minors. The issue, Alonzo said, often remains hidden in plain sight.
Traffickers are rarely strangers, she said. They are often friends, family members or romantic partners who use manipulation, coercion and control to exploit victims. “Grooming” tactics can include building trust, isolating victims and meeting emotional or financial needs before exploitation begins. Control may involve threats, violence, debt or dependency.
Victims, she said, frequently share common vulnerabilities, including a history of trauma, unstable home environments or running away.
Alonzo urged residents, educators and business owners to recognize behavioral red flags, especially among young people.
Those signs can include:
Alonzo emphasized that awareness is key to early intervention.
The hidden logistics of escape
While prevention is critical, Eric Zarko of Families to Freedom focused on what happens when victims attempt to leave.
His organization provides transportation for survivors of domestic violence and trafficking, a service he described as a missing link in the support system. “Getting out is not simple,” Zarko said.
Victims often need real-time planning, including how to safely leave a home, retrieve children and gather essential belongings. Families to Freedom coordinates with shelters, law enforcement and volunteers to move victims to safe locations.
The nonprofit’s data highlights both the scale of need and the strain on resources.
In 2025 alone, the organization helped transport more than 2,400 survivors and children, logging thousands of volunteer hours. Many were taken to domestic violence shelters, though capacity remains a major challenge statewide.
Advocates note that a significant percentage of people seeking shelter in Texas are turned away due to lack of space, a gap that becomes even more concerning as major events draw larger crowds.
Both Alonzo and Zarko emphasized that community members are not powerless.
Simple actions can make a difference:
Residents can also assist directly through efforts such as driving survivors to safety, contributing supplies or writing notes of encouragement for victims.
“See something, say something,” Alonzo said.
Preparing for what’s coming
North Texas leaders have largely focused on the economic opportunity of the World Cup, millions of visitors, packed hotels and global exposure.
Both advocates at the Metrocrest chamber event said preparation must include public awareness and coordinated response efforts to protect vulnerable populations. Is the community paying attention, they asked.
Alonzo recommended residents download the Simply Report app from www.simplyreport.com.
After an attendee raised issues about Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), Carrollton Mayor Steve Babick addressed the audience. He said crimes, including human trafficking, have been reported on DART. He recommended that people who have concerns about the transit agency raise them directly with the agency.
Babick also said that Carrollton had banned short-term rentals and that people should report suspected short-term rentals to the city. “If it looks like a duck, it probably is a duck,” he said.
Robbie Chandler, a public engagement professional for Families of Freedom, who is originally from Scotland, said she doesn’t think people in the United States understand the size and scope of the World Cup. She compared it to 80 Super Bowls. Forty-eight countries qualify, and even though the main North Texas games are in Arlington, teams will practice on fields all over the area.
She said that many people who will come to the area for the games are coming for the ambiance and won’t purchase tickets. She said her brother, who lives in Boston, is a perfect example. “He doesn’t have a ticket, and he couldn’t care less,” she said.
She said that in Scotland, the first day visas to the United States were available for FIFA, 85,000 people applied and crashed the system.
“This North Texas area is prime for this kind of activity,” she said, referring to human trafficking.
A lot of men are coming from out of town looking to have a good time and have an expendable income, Alonzo said.
If someone’s behavior makes you suspicious, report it, she said.
For cities like Farmers Branch, Carrollton and Addison, the challenge is not just hosting visitors, but ensuring the region is equipped to recognize and respond to exploitation that may follow in their wake.
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