Signage on the exterior of AT&T Stadium, which will be named Dallas Stadium during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, is covered by workers as preparations continue at the venue ahead of the soccer tournament May 28, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP/Jessica Tobias)
The FIFA World Cup is about to begin, and advocates are warning that massive sporting events make people more vulnerable to human trafficking.
The Alliance to End Human Trafficking says that while large-scale events like the monthlong World Cup bring massive economic activity, they also create opportunities to exploit people. The World Cup, featuring football ("soccer" in the United States) is widely regarded as the biggest sporting event in the world.
Games begin June 11. While some matches will be held in Canada and Mexico, most will be at stadiums across the United States.
Stopping human trafficking can seem impossible — the National Human Trafficking Hotline identified nearly 12,000 trafficking cases in the United States in 2024 involving around 22,000 victims — but the Alliance to End Human Trafficking has produced a free toolkit to fight the practice.
A graphic created by the Alliance to End Human Trafficking to create awareness of the issue during the FIFA World Cup (Courtesy of Alliance to End Human Trafficking)
"This toolkit is designed to support organizers, partners, and communities in understanding risks and strengthening prevention efforts ahead of major sporting and public events," the Alliance said in an email. "By focusing on awareness, coordination, and survivor-informed responses, we can help ensure that these events reflect safety, dignity, and accountability — now and long after the event concludes."
The toolkit gives background information on trafficking, the work the Alliance does, the types of trafficking and who is most vulnerable, how to spot trafficking and social media posts you can use to educate and advocate.
It also gives nine different steps you can take to end the practice, which the Alliance says impacts an estimated 50 million people worldwide.
While the toolkit is geared toward the World Cup, its tools and information can be used anytime.
"It is important to recognize that trafficking is not limited to the duration of these events," the toolkit says. "Labor and sexual exploitation can occur before, during, and continue long after events conclude, often embedded within local systems and industries."
Leadership Collaborative to host events for younger nuns
The Leadership Collaborative's HOPE gathering for younger Catholic sisters will be held Jan. 12-17 in Nairobi, Kenya, but the group is already preparing for the event with three virtual gatherings leading up to the main event.
The June and September virtual gatherings are for sisters under 65, while the December one is for sisters of any age. Organizers say the virtual gatherings are for anyone, even if you're not planning to attend HOPE in Nairobi. The virtual events are free, but require registration. The first HOPE event was held in Chicago in 2024.
The first virtual gathering will be June 16-17 and will focus on synodality. The June 16 event features Sr. Justine Naluggya, a canon lawyer and assistant secretary general for the Association of Religious in Uganda, and the June 17 event features Sr. Nathalie Becquart, undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops at the Vatican and a member of the Dicastery for Communication.
The second virtual gathering can be attended either Sept. 15 or Sept. 16. It will focus on Ubuntu, a Bantu word meaning "I am because we are," and will be guided by South African scholar Rutendo Ngara. The final session, Dec. 15 or Dec. 16, will be a time to reflect and prepare for the HOPE event in January.
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Bon Secours offering multiple silent spiritual retreats this summer
If you need a spiritual retreat this summer, the Bon Secours Retreat & Conference Center in Marriottsville, Maryland, may have what you're looking for.
The center is hosting silent directed retreats June 7-13, July 12-18, and Aug. 9-15, as well as an eight-day silent Ignatian directed retreat July 25-Aug. 1.
On the silent retreats, participants meet with a spiritual director once a day to reflect on God's presence and movement in their life. But aside from the introductory session and daily spiritual direction meetings, retreatants are on their own for a week of quiet, peace and personal reflection. The Ignatian retreat will be in the tradition of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola.
A retreat June 16-19 will explore the concept of mysticism within the framework of African American spirituality. It will focus on the mystical experiences of three African American faith leaders: Sr. Thea Bowman, Howard Thurman and Pauli Murray. Activities will include music, poetry, journaling, prayer, solitude and opportunities for creative expression.
