New Jersey Moves To Safeguard Against Human Trafficking Before Fifa World Cup

By Sarah Shockey | NJ State House News Service

TRENTON, N.J. – The 2026 FIFA World Cup in East Rutherford kicks off in June, and legislators are making sure they don’t drop the ball on preparations to combat human trafficking.

MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford will host eight soccer matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including the final on Sunday, July 19.

New Jersey lawmakers have introduced three new bills related to World Cup preparations. 

The trio of legislation aims to protect residents and visitors to the region ahead of the games. Two bills are aimed at targeting human trafficking concerns, while the other addresses all human rights concerns.

“This deals exactly with the World Cup, because human trafficking is one of the most horrific crimes in the world,” said one of the sponsors, Assemblyman Sterley Stanley, an East Brunswick Democrat. “We see that all over, so that’s why we’re focused on getting this done before the World Cup.”

Bill A468 would direct a commission on human trafficking to meet and compile reports related to prevention of human trafficking. 

The other bill, A477, appropriates $1 million to establish a Governor’s Survivor Leader Advisory Council in the Department of Health. It would also require the council to create a report on human trafficking. 

The third measure, A3991, would require certain entities, state agencies, and municipalities to submit a report to New Jersey’s governor and Legislature concerning human rights during the FIFA World Cup.

“History has proven that at each one of these World Cup events, human trafficking is at its worst,” Stanley said. “That’s why we want to prevent it, and we want to save lives as well.”

The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar faced global scrutiny for human rights abuses, specifically the exploitation of migrant workers. Human Rights Watch, a nonprofit watchdog group headquartered in New York City, published a 42-page report summarizing what it described as “the numerous human rights concerns surrounding Qatar’s preparations for the 2022 World Cup.”

The New York New Jersey Host Committee, the governing body chaired by former New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy, continues their human rights strategy as part of their preparation.

The committee submitted a comprehensive human rights report as part of the bid to host the World Cup. The regional committee detailed plans on how to keep both residents and visitors protected.

Over 1.2 million visitors are expected in the New York and New Jersey region for the World Cup, according to the committee. The spectacle is projected to bring in $3.3 billion in economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and related sectors while creating over 26,000 jobs.

NJ Transit, whose Meadowlands Rail Line provides transportation to MetLife Stadium, announced a new plan to tackle human trafficking ahead of the World Cup. Their “Safe Passage” campaign, introduced in January, builds off previous initiatives to combat trafficking on public transit.

“As we prepare to welcome the world to our region for the World Cup, safety must remain at the center of everything we do,” said Alex Lasry, CEO of the New York New Jersey World Cup 26 Host Committee. “NJ Transit’s Safe Passage campaign demonstrates the kind of proactive, coordinated approach that major global events demand. By raising awareness and working hand-in-hand with our law enforcement and community partners, NJ Transit is helping ensure that our region is safe and secure for visitors and residents alike.”

Ahead of the World Cup matches in both East Rutherford and Philadelphia, the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking is hosting two community information sessions in May. 

World Cup ACT sessions will happen in both North and South Jersey, two areas that will see an increase in travel for the soccer matches. The session will offer residents a range of trainings and presentations along with a community toolkit to assist in preventing trafficking at the World Cup.

“World Cup ACT was created to proactively prepare New Jersey ahead of the World Cup by turning awareness into action,” said Gina Cavallo, coalition vice president. “Large-scale global events can increase vulnerabilities to human trafficking, and we felt it was essential to engage communities before harm occurs.”

Cavallo, who also serves on the state’s Human Trafficking Commission, said the large influx of visitors to the tri-state area for the World Cup raises major concerns. 

“When more than a million people are expected in one region, increased travel, temporary housing, and busy hospitality environments can create vulnerabilities that should not be ignored,” she said. “It is also important to acknowledge that trafficking is significantly underreported for many reasons, which limits what research can capture.”

In January, the legislature approved a comprehensive $128 million spending bill, which allocated $20 million for the FIFA World Cup host committee for promotions. The bill was heavily criticized by Republican lawmakers. Former Gov. Phil Murphy signed the controversial spending package as one of his final acts in office.  

Murphy also signed a bill designed to protect the health and safety of international athletes.

The bill, S448, sponsored by Republican Senator Anthony Bucco of Boonton, waives licensure requirement for foreign health professionals who are providing medical services to team members and team personnel during the World Cup.

“When athletes step onto the world’s biggest stage, their health and safety must come first,” Bucco said. “This law ensures that each team can rely on the medical professionals who know their players best. It’s a commonsense measure that puts the wellness of our athletes at the center of World Cup preparations.” 

With the first World Cup match just four months away, all three pieces of new legislation were referred to the Assembly Community Development and Women’s Affairs Committee for review.

—NJ State House News Service reporter Brinda Patel contributed to this article.