Human Rights

Version 1 of our comprehensive Human Rights Action Plan, aligned with FIFA requirements, is available for review. In accordance with FIFA guidance, the final version is scheduled for publication in May. We are actively advancing work on all mandated human rights issues. For those who do not review the plan in its entirety, a brief snapshot of planned mitigations is provided below, including efforts related to human trafficking, one of the many issues we are actively addressing.

HUMAN RIGHTS ACTION PLAN (VERSION 1)

TRAININGS – HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND ACCESSIBILITY

World Cup–specific training on human trafficking (produced in partnership with A21) and accessibility is available for delivery across key sectors and groups, including transportation, volunteers, and the hospitality industry.

The human trafficking training is available in English and Spanish. The Accessibility training is available in English. Each training is approximately 35 minutes long and can be embedded in Learning Management Systems using a SCORM 1.2 file. Trainings are also available in MP4 format, and both contain identical content.

The Host Committee has already distributed these trainings across regional partner agencies and encourages broad community use. No permission is required. You will be able to access the trainings after completing this short form to allow download tracking. These trainings were recorded by Inspire.

WORKER SAFEGUARDS AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING

In addition to human trafficking training, the Host Committee has automated its Responsible Contracting Policy to strengthen worker protections and proactively addresses the risks of labor exploitation and human trafficking within our supply chain. Potential suppliers that register for the North Texas Business Connect Program are required to sign a Code of Conduct. Suppliers that choose to submit a response to a Request for Proposal (RFP) will also be required to complete additional human rights documentation.

To further support this policy, the Host Committee is planning to operationalize a dedicated Worker Support Hub at the FIFA Fan Festival. This space will provide workers with a confidential place to raise concerns and file grievances.

In addition, the Host Committee has partnered with a leading international organization to develop a broad social media campaign. Leveraging our soccer-focused platform, the campaign will raise awareness around issues such as gender-based violence and buyer awareness and will run from May to July 2026.

ACCESSIBILITY

In addition to the Accessibility Training, the FIFA Fan Festival is being planned as an accessible event, with more than 20 accessibility integrations identified and summarized in the plan.

Stakeholders also requested an assessment of accessibility options for rideshare services. The completed assessment demonstrated that currently offer wheelchair-accessible ride options, accommodate mobility devices, and maintain clear policies permitting service animals. Uber is introducing additional features aimed at reducing discrimination against riders with visual impairments, while Lyft supports screen readers and offers assisted ride services.

PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATIONS TOOLKITS

We have developed Peaceful Demonstrations Toolkits to help demonstrators understand the scope of constitutionally protected free speech, with particular emphasis on time, place, and manner restrictions. The goal of these toolkits is to support lawful expression and encourage peaceful demonstrations.

Because processes and requirements vary by jurisdiction, these toolkits have been developed regionally. We have made efforts to collaborate with relevant city departments for each jurisdiction to ensure the information reflects local processes at the time of publication.

Please select the city below to download the corresponding Peaceful Demonstrations Toolkit. Each guide is designed to help demonstrators better understand applicable rules, expectations, and considerations specific to that city.

DALLAS
FORT WORTH
ARLINGTON
FRISCO

These Peaceful Demonstrations Toolkits were reviewed by multiple government officials, city attorneys, and police departments in the respective cities. We hope that they serve as a resource if you plan to participate in a demonstration. There is a slight possibility that the information contained herein may have changed; it is important to verify the information by contacting the appropriate authorities. They are meant for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as legal advice.

FAIR HOUSING TOOLKITS

These Fair Housing Toolkits were reviewed by multiple government officials in each respective city and are intended to serve as an informational resource. While care has been taken to ensure accuracy, the information contained herein may change over time. Users are encouraged to verify current requirements by contacting the appropriate authorities. These materials are provided for general informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as legal advice. Please note: Fair Housing laws do not govern short-term rentals.

DALLAS
FORT WORTH
ARLINGTON
FRISCO

For more on the history of stakeholder engagement and the creation of the human rights action plan, continue reading below.

Background Information

During the bid process, the Dallas Sports Commission engaged 250 stakeholders across several human rights issues pre-identified by FIFA for exploration. The resulting Human Rights Plan was submitted during the bid process along with other technical aspects.

In July 2024, FIFA World Cup 26™ issued their long-awaited Human Rights Framework (Framework). This Framework differed from the request made during the bid process and asked Host Committees to examine human rights violations in three areas:

  1. Inclusion and Safeguarding – Inclusion and non-discrimination, safeguarding, human trafficking, gender equity, gender-based violence, freedom of assembly, expression and press, accessibility, and security and policing.
  2. Workers’ Rights – Fair wages, child labor, non-discrimination, inclusive hiring protocols, grievances and access to remedy, forced labor and labor trafficking, poor working conditions, occupational, health and safety, freedom of association and collective bargaining, rest and reasonable limitation of working hours, preventing and addressing harassment and abuse at work, responsible contracting and transparent dealings.
  3. Access to Remedy – ensuring that anyone that may have experienced a human rights violation linked to hosting in North Texas has access to remedy in addition to workers.

Aligning the 2020 Bid Plan Submission to the new FIFA World Cup 26™ Framework

The North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee (NTFWCOC) crossed the bid plan submission from 2020 with the new Framework to align the input from the bid plan with the new expectations FIFA World Cup 26™ set. The results of the cross are as follows:

  1. There were 89 opportunities to mitigate potential harms for what now falls under Safeguarding and Inclusion.
  2. There were 12 opportunities to mitigate potential harms for what now falls under Workers’ Rights.
  3. There were 0 ideas on Access to Remedy, this was not an area of analysis required during the bid process.
  4. Note – Human Trafficking was flagged as a special area of concern by North Texas area stakeholders.

October 31, 2024, Human Rights Workshop Summary and Next Steps

With the release of the new Framework in July 2024, the NTFWCOC designed and hosted an in person Human Rights workshop on October 31, 2024, with 125 stakeholders. At the workshop, the 125 stakeholders further prioritized 64 of the 102 ideas proposed in the 2020 bid plan. These 64 ideas underwent a legal, feasibility, and budget analysis. The results of this and the finalized list of action steps to prepare our community for the World Cup were shared in a virtual report out call on January 22, 2025, at 10 AM CST.

The updated plan publication schedule is as follows:

·        By 5 January 2026, deliver updated draft Action Plan to FIFA

·        FIFA to provide feedback by 23 January 2026

·        By 16 February 2026, HC release V1 Action Plans

·        By 11 May 2026, HCs publish final Action Plans

RECENT: HUMAN RIGHTS ACTION PLAN FEEDBACK AND NEXT STEPS

Following the Human Rights Workshop on October 31, 2024, the Draft Action Plan was released for public feedback on March 24, 2025. The feedback period closed on April 30, 2025, during which 63 points of input were submitted by 13 stakeholders. To promote transparency, a report-out session was held on May 15, 2025, to share how public feedback was addressed. More than 80 stakeholders participated, with invitations extended to over 300 individuals and organizations.

If you have questions, concerns, or comments, please email our Chief Human Rights Officer at Minal@dallasfwc26.com.

For press inquiries, please contact media@dallasfwc26.com.