Miami-Dade and Florida authorities expand anti-trafficking coordination as seven 2026 World Cup matches near

Law enforcement coordination announced ahead of major international event

Miami-Dade prosecutors and state law enforcement leaders are expanding coordinated efforts to investigate and disrupt human trafficking in the months leading up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches scheduled in Miami Gardens. The initiative is being presented as a statewide enforcement and prevention push with a particular focus on South Florida, where an influx of visitors is expected during the tournament period.

Officials have described the work as a combination of investigations, victim-centered response, and public awareness measures timed to the World Cup calendar. A formal announcement is scheduled for Friday, February 20, 2026, in Miami, with participation expected from Miami-Dade’s elected state attorney, Florida’s attorney general and local law enforcement leaders, along with representation from the Miami World Cup host committee.

Why major sports events draw heightened attention from anti-trafficking units

Large-scale events can increase demand for short-term lodging, transportation, nightlife and online commercial sex advertising—conditions that anti-trafficking units consider relevant to both labor trafficking and sex trafficking investigations. Miami-Dade officials have pointed to past enforcement periods around major events in South Florida as informing their approach to World Cup planning.

In recent years, the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office has reported arrest totals during enforcement operations tied to major event weeks, including Super Bowl LIV in 2020 and the Formula One Miami Grand Prix in 2023 and 2024. Officials have also indicated that trafficking facilitation increasingly occurs online, prompting investigative emphasis on digital activity alongside street-level operations.

What is known about the World Cup footprint in Miami-Dade

Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens is scheduled to host seven World Cup matches in June and July 2026, spanning group-stage games through later-round fixtures. Local planning documents and public event schedules list group-stage matches on June 15, June 21, June 24 and June 27, followed by a Round of 32 match on July 3, a quarterfinal on July 11 and the third-place match on July 18.

The 2026 tournament is scheduled across the United States, Canada and Mexico, and is set to feature an expanded field of 48 teams and 104 matches. Miami is among the U.S. host markets slated to receive international visitors throughout the competition window.

Operational elements emphasized: awareness, industry training and reporting pathways

Authorities have outlined a layered strategy that includes visible awareness messaging near event corridors, outreach to hotels and tourism businesses, and the use of undercover operations and patrol deployments during high-traffic periods. Training hotel and frontline hospitality staff to recognize indicators associated with trafficking is expected to be part of the plan, reflecting approaches used in prior South Florida events.

Officials have also promoted established reporting mechanisms for suspected trafficking activity, including local hotlines and national pathways, while noting that emergencies should be directed to 911.

• Seven World Cup matches are scheduled at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens between June 15 and July 18, 2026.
• The announced law enforcement posture combines investigations, industry engagement and public awareness messaging.
• Miami-Dade officials cite prior event-week enforcement operations as a reference point for World Cup planning.

Officials planning the initiative have stated that traffickers can attempt to exploit major events, and that coordinated enforcement aims to identify offenders and connect victims to services.