Houston World Cup Host Committee Releases Human Rights Plan

The plan establishes actions, standards and protocols to address human rights issues before, during and after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Houston host committee for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has released the first version of its 40-page Human Rights Action Plan. The plan, which was developed over seven years with input from more than 100 stakeholders, outlines the committee's approach to safeguarding, workers' rights, and access to remedy for any human rights concerns linked to hosting the tournament. Key elements of the plan include a commitment to a $15 minimum wage for Tier 1 vendors, World Cup-specific human trafficking training, and measures to minimize and mitigate potential harms.

Why it matters

As a major international sporting event, the World Cup carries significant human rights implications for host cities. The Houston host committee's plan aims to proactively address these concerns and ensure the tournament benefits the local community while respecting the rights of workers, fans, and other stakeholders.

The details

The Human Rights Action Plan is divided into three main sections: safeguarding, workers' rights, and access to remedy. It establishes protocols and processes to mitigate potential harms, rather than guaranteeing a problem-free event. Key elements include developing World Cup-specific human trafficking training, committing to a $15 minimum wage for Tier 1 vendors, and creating systems to protect workers in industries with low unionization rates.

  • The Human Rights Action Plan was first released on February 18, 2026.
  • A final version of the plan is set to be released in May 2026.

The players

Minal Davis

The chief legacy officer for the Houston World Cup host committee, who oversaw the development of the Human Rights Action Plan.

Todd Lyons

The acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), who stated that the agency will be part of the overall security apparatus for the World Cup.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Above all, this plan centers people: ensuring that fans feel safe and welcome, workers receive fair treatment, communities are respected, and the benefits of hosting the FIFA World Cup 26 extend beyond the tournament itself.”

— Minal Davis, Chief Legacy Officer, Houston World Cup Host Committee (Houston Chronicle)

“ICE, specifically homeland security investigations, is a key part of the overall security apparatus for the World Cup. We're dedicated to securing that operation.”

— Todd Lyons, Acting Director, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (House Committee Testimony)

What’s next

The host committee plans to release a final version of the Human Rights Action Plan in May 2026, after gathering additional community feedback on the initial version.

The takeaway

The Houston World Cup host committee's Human Rights Action Plan demonstrates a proactive, comprehensive approach to addressing the potential human rights impacts of hosting a major international sporting event. By engaging stakeholders, committing to worker protections, and establishing mitigation measures, the committee aims to ensure the tournament benefits the local community while respecting the rights of all involved.