To mark the defense against human trafficking and violence towards minors in Mexico ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, three organizations have established an alliance to strengthen prevention and reporting in the country, which will be one of the hosts of the tournament, along with the United States and Canada.
Less than 200 days before the tournament, the Citizen Council for Security and Justice of Mexico City (CSJCDMX), the National Association of Hotel Chains (ANCH), and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) signed a memorandum of understanding in the Mexican capital.
The executive secretary of the CSJCDMX, Clara Luz Álvarez, explained at a press conference that the alliance includes nationwide advertising campaigns to prevent the exploitation and violence against minors. Channels for reporting will also be strengthened, and hotel staff will be trained to identify and report risks to children, Álvarez noted, adding that they aim for this capacity to remain even after the World Cup.
The UNICEF Representative in Mexico, Fernando Correa Castro, pointed out that violence against children and women can increase by up to 30% during major sporting events like the FIFA World Cup, according to studies by the UN agency. However, he clarified that violence against children in such events mainly occurs in their homes and schools. "It is not an external phenomenon," he stated. Nevertheless, he added that with the arrival of millions of domestic and international tourists, it is "highly probable" that the risk of exploitation and violence against children will increase.
Álvarez further mentioned that according to reports received by the CSJCDMX, violence against girls, boys, and adolescents has increased by 24% so far in 2025, compared to the same period in 2024. The largest increases have been seen in crimes of sexual exploitation, forced child labor or begging, followed by the sale and consumption of child sexual abuse material, known as child pornography.
The representatives emphasized that the commitment focuses on prevention, early detection, referral of at-risk cases, and reporting via the Council's telephone line 55 5533 5533 and the national human trafficking chat 800 55 33 000.
Mexico will host the opening match and 12 other FIFA World Cup 2026 games next June, to be held in Mexico City, Monterrey (north), and Guadalajara (west).
In the case of hotels, Álvarez noted, both hotel staff and visitors are "undisputed allies" as they "can bring help to those in need." The president of the ANCH, Jorge Paoli Díaz, highlighted that about 93% of crimes in the country go unreported, a situation the association aims to reverse by providing support and acting as a "bridge" between reporters and authorities. Paoli also warned that the lack of regulation on platforms like Airbnb aggravates the risk for potential victims.
