Homeland Security Investigations agents conducted a major rescue operation during the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Kansas City, resulting in the rescue of eight missing children and the identification of nine human trafficking victims.
The operation also led to the arrest of 14 individuals tied to these crimes, highlighting the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat human trafficking networks.
HSI agents had been preparing for this moment for over a year, increasing their presence at World Cup venues including the FIFA Fan Festival, as thousands of people flooded the area.
Acting Special Agent in Charge Richard Sabatini of HSI Kansas City explained that his team worked long hours to stay ahead of the threats, often operating on 12- to 16-hour schedules, seven days a week.
Sabatini noted that the months of planning leading up to the tournament were the most challenging, but once it started, the focus shifted to combating human trafficking networks that often target runaways and missing children.
Most of the eight recovered kids were teenagers, with several from the Kansas City metro area, and Sabatini emphasized that these operations are ongoing, relying on public vigilance to prevent these crimes.
Agents not only cracked down on human trafficking but also confiscated over $435,000 worth of counterfeit goods, including fake jerseys, T-shirts, and flags being sold at World Cup events.
Those items will be either destroyed or donated to countries in need of clothing, and Sabatini encouraged the public to stay vigilant, using the familiar mantra of "If you see something, say something.
