Human Trafficking, Gender-Based Violence Threaten Mexico's Position as World Cup 2026 Host - Newstbt.com

The increasing attention given to big sports events for their sports betting accessibility is no longer secret, and this trend is only likely to keep rising as the ecosystem expands. Unfortunately, in certain scenarios this can lead to undesirable attention, something Mexico may soon experience as it prepares to host part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The death of a 27-year-old woman in Mexico City in October has sparked protests, highlighting human trafficking and gender-based violence which are on the rise in the country. The media coverage of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022 revealed that, while it provided significant business prospects, there were also serious concerns over gender equality and human rights. This troubling news has resurfaced in the wake of Mexico’s upcoming 2026 hosting, as a FIFA review has revealed further issues with the country’s human rights. As the planned host nation, Mexico must take clear steps to address this serious issue in order to avoid FIFA sanctions and ensure the security of the tournament in four years.

Mexico’s Dark Side Resurfaces

Before the next World Cup in 2026, preparations are already being made. Mexico, the United States, and Canada have all been chosen as host countries, and with this comes a need for FIFA to analyze the environment of all three nations. The consulting firm Ergon Associates was enlisted by FIFA to assess the three Mexican venues that will take part in the tournament. Unfortunately, all three locations – Monterrey, Guadalajara, and Mexico City (CDMX) – have been rated poorly. FIFA has pinpointed several issues, such as in Monterrey where an increase in sex trafficking since 2017, when the trio of World Cup hosts were selected, is of concern. These areas of opportunity for improvement appear to need immediate attention in order for the tournament to take place without issue.

According to international studies, the city is a major part of the global network of sex trafficking. Nearly all of the victims of the industry are Mexican. In Guadalajara, gender violence and a high rate of femicides put visitors in a dangerous situation. The National Institute of Statistics and Geography further confirms that violence against women is a big problem, although the government has supposedly implemented policies to address it. In the CDMX, public security is one of the major concerns for FIFA. Women’s safety, disappearances, and verbal and physical violence in public areas have been reported regularly. It is also alleged that police forces often ignore this type of crime.

Police Looking the Other Way

FIFA’s poor reputation amongst soccer fans is being further compounded by their lack of response to serious issues surrounding the 2026 World Cup in Qatar. Particularly, police brutality has been cited as a cause for concern as officers are more heavy-handed with their enforcement when it comes to public protests and arrests. It has been reported that journalists, both domestic and international, have been stripped of their rights to cover games and have had their equipment forcefully taken away. To compound matters further, reports of bad labor conditions during the construction of Qatar’s venues have sparked discussions of worker’s rights that must be rectified before 2026. It is clear that FIFA must take more decisive steps to rectify these issues if they are to maintain support for the next World Cup.

FIFA Not Impressing Soccer Fans

For the upcoming World Cup, FIFA’s intention to add an extra 16 teams and none of the hosts having to qualify is not endearing them to many. Originally, the teams were to be sorted into 16 groups of three. After analysing this structure, FIFA and the soccer industry deemed it unbalanced and it is now likely to be scrapped in favour of something else. A decision concerning a new format should be made next year in hopes of including more countries and making the tournament more inclusive. While this could be seen as an altruistic move, it could also mean more money for broadcasting rights and sports betting.