responsible hosting & worker protection

North Texas is committed to hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026™ in a way that prioritizes human dignity, safety, and inclusion. The Responsible Hosting & Worker Protection program strengthens ethical labor practices, protects vulnerable workers, and promotes civil liberties through coordinated policies, trainings, and community supports that will outlast the tournament.

program components

Ethical Contracting & Labor Protections

  • Implementing an Automated Responsible Contracting Policy within the North Texas Business Connect Bid Management System that prohibits forced labor, child labor, and other forms of labor exploitation

Worker Support & Grievance Redress

  • Establishing a Worker Support Hub at the FIFA Fan Festival™ to provide confidential grievance pathways, access to resources, and upskilling opportunities.

Public Awareness & Safeguarding

  • Launching a multi-issue Safeguarding social media campaign focused on worker rights, human trafficking prevention, and accessibility.

Regional Training & Capacity Building

  • Delivering Human Trafficking and Accessibility trainings through the Council of Governments (COG) to local governments, law enforcement, and community partners across the region.

Civil Liberties & Public Space

  • Developing Free Speech Toolkits for all four host cities and verifying clearly designated free speech zones.

Compassionate Community Coordination

  • Coordinating with regional homeless coalitions to ensure humane, respectful, and supportive responses where there may be intersections with the FIFA footprint.

Program Goals

  • Strengthen ethical labor practices connected to World Cup activities.

  • Ensure workers have clear, safe avenues to seek support and redress.

  • Build regional capacity to prevent trafficking and improve accessibility.

  • Protect civil liberties while maintaining safe public spaces.

  • Promote compassionate, coordinated responses when major events intersect with homelessness.

Expected Outcomes

  • Stronger, more transparent worker protections embedded in regional systems.

  • Increased access to support and grievance pathways for workers.

  • Better-prepared cities and service providers through standardized training.

  • Greater public awareness of trafficking risks and accessibility needs.

  • Clear, consistent free speech processes across all host cities.

  • More humane, coordinated regional responses during major events.