The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said eight missing children were recovered in Kansas City in a human trafficking crackdown conducted during the World Cup. “Through strong partnerships with local law enforcement, we’re getting heinous criminals off Missouri streets and rescued 8 missing children in Kansas City,” DHS stated. “When we work together, our communities and the American people are safer,” it added. “We saved 8 children during this operation. We took advantage of bad people trying to prey on innocent children during an international opportunity and a celebration like the World Cup,” Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe said. Watch below: Through strong partnerships with local law enforcement, we’re getting heinous criminals off Missouri streets and rescued 8 missing children in Kansas City. When we work together, our communities and the American people are safer.https://t.co/CZmGbplnIr https://t.co/XY3uear1fc — Homeland Security (@DHSgov) July 13, 2026 KCTV5 has more: ICE and HSI agents say they also seized thousands of dollars in counterfeit FIFA merchandise in Kansas City. The seized items include fake jerseys, scarves and t-shirts. Agents note that they are still working to identify those responsible for making and selling the items. Authorities warn that counterfeit products not only hurt local businesses that pay for the rights to use official logos, but they can also be poorly made and contain unsafe materials. A nonprofit coalition called the WARS Council – World Cup Aftercare Resources and Services – formed specifically to fight the anticipated rise in trafficking during the tournament. The group includes nearly a dozen organizations and operates independently of the City of Kansas City and KC2026 organizers. “ICE agents uphold our nation’s immigration laws in all 50 states, seven days a week, 24 hours a day,” a DHS spokesperson told the outlet. “Eight kids saved during #FIFAWorldCup2026 human trafficking crackdown — incredible work by ICE @HSIKansasCity and its partners,” ICE stated. Eight kids saved during #FIFAWorldCup2026 human trafficking crackdown — incredible work by ICE @HSIKansasCity and its partners. Learn how state and local law enforcement can partner with @ICEgov to make your state safer, too, through the 287(g) program: https://t.co/VUW7PITvTj https://t.co/EECRgQpa8y — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) July 13, 2026 KMBC shared further: Federal agents have been working behind the scenes to keep the FIFA World Cup safe as thousands of fans have celebrated in Kansas City. Officials with Homeland Security Investigations said they spent about a year preparing for the tournament and have maintained an increased presence at locations including the FIFA Fan Festival and other World Cup venues. “We have people working seven days a week, 12 to 16 hours per day. But we get the mission done,” said Richard Sabatini, acting special agent in charge of HSI Kansas City. Sabatini said the biggest challenge came long before the first match kicked off. “I think the hardest part was just getting to this point, the planning over month after month, week after week,” he said. Since the tournament began, HSI has focused much of its work on combating human trafficking. Agents said they have arrested 14 people, identified nine victims of human trafficking and recovered eight missing children. “Unfortunately, most of these children are runaways and reported missing from their families or care providers, but they end up on the streets or with these traffickers,” Sabatini said. They said most of the children recovered were teenagers, and several were from the Kansas City metro area. The post 8 Missing Children Recovered In Human Trafficking Crackdown During World Cup appeared first on 100PercentFedUp.com.