NJ Transit gets $50K shout-out for World Cup anti-human trafficking campaign
NJ Transit scored an early goal when U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy awarded it $50,000 for its human trafficking awareness campaign ahead of the 2026 World Cup finals.
The award was announced during a USDOT FIFA 2026 World Cup Summit on Thursday in Washington D.C. in advance of the Final Draw setting the schedule and location for specific matches next summer.
New Jersey-New York was one of several host cities selected last year by FIFA for the World Cup games in July 2026. The men’s 2026 World Cup is set to feature a 48-team tournament, with 60 matches played in the U.S. Ten matches will be hosted by Canada and Mexico.
With an estimated 6 million soccer fans expected to converge on the U.S. next summer, Duffy warned that human traffickers — and the people they exploit — are also likely to follow.
“NJ Transit’s team has gone above and beyond to make sure travelers understand the signs when someone is being trafficked,” Duffy said during the event.
NJ Transit’s campaign launched in January in conjunction with USDOT at Newark Penn Station under the slogan “Human trafficking isn’t always easy to spot.”
It encourages NJ Transit customers to report suspected incidents of trafficking, connects potentially trafficked individuals with support, and educates the public about the best ways to intervene.
The campaign started in advance of summer 2025’s World Cup Club games at Met Life Stadium and is a collaboration between NJ Transit, the state Attorney General and NJ Transit Police.
Duffy said he wants that campaign increased during the run-up to the summer World Cup finals.
“I’m awarding NJ Transit an additional $50,000 in recognition of its human trafficking work and to put more resources in, so people recognize the signs.”
To report suspected human trafficking, use the “contact NJ Transit Police” tab under Rider Tools on the NJ Transit app to either text or call them.
This isn’t the only effort in advance of the World Cup.
On Thursday, legislation to require ride-share drivers take human trafficking training proposed by State Senators Vin Gopal, D-Monmouth and Troy Singleton, D-Burlington, was approved by the senate Transportation Committee.
That bill requires drivers for companies such as Uber and Lyft to complete state approved anti-human trafficking training. Both sponsors mentioned concerns about increased human trafficking around events such as the 2026 World Cup finals unless proactive steps are taken.