In the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup, communities across the United States are bracing for a wave of excitement, opportunity, and — for some — anxiety. Nowhere is this more evident than in Kansas City and North Texas, where preparations for the global soccer tournament have cast a spotlight not just on the beautiful game, but also on issues of human trafficking, immigrant fears, and the power of community gathering spaces.
For Kristy Childs, the World Cup’s arrival in Kansas City is more than a sporting milestone. As a survivor of human trafficking, Childs knows all too well the dark underbelly that can accompany major events. “I was exploited throughout the country,” Childs told FOX4. “It didn’t matter, back alley, presidential suite at the Hilton. It was the same. It was paid rape.” Today, she leads ReHope, a nonprofit dedicated to providing survivors with housing, treatment, and vital support. But her mission goes further: she’s determined to educate the public and those on the frontlines about the signs of trafficking and how to intervene.
Childs recently spoke at the Meeting Professionals International (MPI) Kansas City Chapter’s annual conference, a gathering of event planners and organizers preparing for the World Cup. These professionals, she emphasized, are in a unique position to spot and stop trafficking. “We play a critical role as we are on the front lines especially in the hotel space, the catering companies, the people working these events, transportation, airports,” said Emily Bannworth of MPI Kansas City. Law enforcement has echoed these concerns, warning that demand for sex trafficking becomes especially concentrated during large-scale events.
What should people look for? According to Childs, indicators can be subtle but telling: “Some signs are girls that can’t make eye contact. They could be dressed provocatively outside of their age. They could be fearful, but they could also be aggressive.” Bannworth and her colleagues are ramping up hands-on training for event workers, aiming to ensure that everyone — from hotel staff to airport greeters — knows what to do if they spot trouble. “What we’re really trying to do is education from the get-go,” Bannworth explained. The hope is that, with vigilance and preparation, Kansas City can host the World Cup without becoming a magnet for traffickers.
Meanwhile, in North Texas, another kind of preparation is underway. Ojos Locos, a Mexican-themed sports bar chain, has become a beacon for Hispanic soccer fans. Since its single-store debut in 2010, just months before the World Cup, the chain has grown to 24 locations in Texas and 10 more across New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and California. Walk into Ojos Locos on any afternoon, and you’ll find the place buzzing with energy: tables of diners in work boots and jeans, towers of beer gleaming under the lights, and every TV tuned to soccer — especially when a big tournament is on.
Ojos Locos was founded by Rich Hicks and Randy DeWitt, who saw a gap in the market for a soccer-focused sports bar catering to Hispanics. “The 2010 World Cup was the magic point that we looked at each other and said, ‘We have a really underserved consumer.’ (...) And that’s when it all started,” Hicks recalled. The bar’s atmosphere is cheeky, with servers — or chicas — wearing distinctive attire, but at its core, Ojos Locos is about community and belonging. “You don’t see many other places around that offer that hospitality specifically to the Hispanic community,” said Andrea Serrano, who started as a chica and is now a bartender.
This sense of welcome is especially vital given the tense climate surrounding immigration. The Trump administration’s aggressive enforcement policies have sown fear among many Hispanics. ICE data for 2025 shows over 45,000 immigrant detentions in the Dallas Area of Responsibility, but with little clarity on the reasons for most removals. Videos of ICE raids circulate on social media, and according to Tracreports, 71% of current detainees have no criminal convictions. Even some Trump supporters and business owners have found themselves caught in the dragnet. The result? Many Hispanics are hesitant to leave their homes, let alone gather in public spaces.
This anxiety has real economic consequences. Black Box Intelligence, a Dallas-based analytics firm, reports that restaurant traffic in ZIP codes with high Mexican-origin populations has lagged behind national trends since late 2024, particularly during key political moments like the election and inauguration. Victor Fernandez, chief insights officer at Black Box, told the Dallas Observer, “We’re seeing an early but measurable shift in how immigration policy is showing up in consumer data. In certain communities — especially those that may be more directly affected by immigration policy — restaurant spending appears to be under pressure. And when spending slows in these areas, the industry feels it.”
Ojos Locos has not been immune. Alcohol sales at its flagship Dallas location dropped 15% from June 2024 to June 2025, a decline attributed to a mix of inflation, tighter wallets, and fears of immigration enforcement. Management responded by implementing ICE protocols to protect employees’ rights and guide managers during enforcement visits. “We were flooded with calls,” said Yessica Perez, the company’s chief people officer. “So we put some ICE protocols in place, just essentially saying these are your employee rights. We’ve had ICE visit our establishment for sure — three that come to mind, I think, also a fourth. But we just told the employees and the managers, this is how you respond.”
Despite these pressures, Ojos Locos has become a place of empowerment, especially for Latinas. Many employees have risen from entry-level roles to management and executive positions. Fabiola Estrada, who started as a hostess in 2010, is now a regional vice president. Guadalupe Cardona, once a chica, is now the training director overseeing all the chicas. Perez says the company boasts a 54% internal promotion rate. “Are you hardworking? Do you have grit, or do you have a positive attitude? It doesn’t matter if you don’t have the skills or experience we’re going to teach you,” Perez explained.
With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, Ojos Locos is gearing up to be the go-to spot for Hispanic fans. Committees have been formed to plan for the anticipated crowds, and Hicks is clear about the bar’s mission: “That goes back to the experience. That’s what we do when people come in. We want to greet them with a big smile and welcome them in. ... That’s all we can do.” For many, a cold beer and a friendly place to watch the match may be the best comfort in uncertain times.
As soccer fever builds and the world turns its eyes to the U.S., the stories of Kansas City’s anti-trafficking efforts and North Texas’s resilient Hispanic community remind us that the World Cup is about far more than just the game. It’s a test of how communities respond — with vigilance, hospitality, and a determination to protect and empower everyone who calls these cities home.
