Miami-Dade State Attorney prepares anti-trafficking campaign ahead of World Cup
Over 1 million tourists are expected to flood South Florida to enjoy the seven FIFA World Cup matches this summer, officials say. The Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office and dozens of law-enforcement agencies say those large, adoring crowds bring with them an influx of human trafficking — a phenomenon that they are already preparing for.
“We are going to have millions of wonderful tourists coming to our beautiful paradise, and we want to make sure ... they do not become prey to those who take advantage of the vulnerable,” Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said.
On Thursday afternoon, Fernandez Rundle held her annual forum on human trafficking at Camillus House, 1603 NW Seventh Ave., where she divulged authorities are ready to enact their playbook to deter trafficking during large scale, major events.
“A lot of what we have been doing has been working, but this year that will be on steroids,” Fernandez Rundle said.
The state attorney’s office will be deploying an awareness campaign combined with law enforcement patrolling and conducting undercover operations during World Cup events.
In regard to awareness, key event locations will have posters teaching residents and tourists the signs of human trafficking and how to report it through the state attorney’s office hotline at 305-349-7867. Officials are also partnering with hotels and other businesses in the tourism industry to educate their employees on how to spot trafficking.
A billboard near Miami Gardens’ Hard Rock Stadium, where the World Cup games will be held, is already displaying messages about trafficking and how victims or witnesses can contact authorities.
These strategies were also used during previous national and international events that were held in South Florida and led to numerous trafficking arrests.
The state attorney’s office reports 47 trafficking arrests were made during Super Bowl LIV week in 2020, 65 arrests during the 2023 Formula One Miami Grand Prix week and 50 arrests during the week of the 2024 race.
This story was originally published January 22, 2026 at 8:19 PM.
%20Cropped%20(2).jpg)