The upcoming World Cup is drawing top soccer talent to the New York area, and interestingly, it’s also increasing interest from sex workers.
As the arrival of about 1.2 million soccer fans looms, there’s been a noticeable rise in escort bookings ahead of eight games at MetLife Stadium, running from June 13 to July 19.
A Brooklyn-based escort, who wished to remain anonymous, mentioned she charges up to $10,000 for an entire day of specialized services and has been inundated with requests timed with World Cup activities in New York/New Jersey.
“We’re seeing a surge in inquiries from new clients,” the 31-year-old said, sharing that her foot worship sessions go for $800 an hour.
She noted her online profile received three times the usual traffic in May as international tourists planned their trips, with a remarkable uptick in couples seeking more adventurous experiences.
“It’s interesting—we usually see maybe one new couple request a month, but last month, that shot up to 25 requests,” she remarked.
This escort, while having regular clients, is also open to short-term arrangements with tourists, pricing them competitively.
“If someone offers a good deal for something worthwhile, you’d consider it, right?” she said.
“If someone is headed to the World Cup and the compensation is right for a service I’m comfortable providing, of course, I’d take that opportunity,” she added.
The escort revealed that some clients, including two from Europe, have already put down $3,000 in deposits to secure time between soccer matches in East Rutherford.
“June is quickly filling up,” she said, expressing hopes to be ready for customers’ arrivals. “I’m really optimistic,” she added.
So far, she has secured bookings with two European clients, one from London and another from Colorado.
But it’s not just service providers who are preparing; law enforcement is also gearing up for potential issues, particularly concerning human trafficking.
Montvale Police Chief Andrew Caggiano pointed out, “When we think of large events, we often consider threats like terrorism and theft, but another significant issue is human trafficking.”
In response, the New Jersey State Police are set to deploy 1,200 officers to handle both official and unofficial World Cup events effectively.
The US Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network has also issued warnings about the ongoing dangers of human trafficking as a result of heightened activity around the World Cup.
“The 2026 FIFA World Cup is anticipated to attract millions of visitors, and those near host cities could be susceptible to sex and labor trafficking,” FinCEN cautioned.
New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport informed state legislators that plans are in place to safeguard both visitors and residents during the events.
“This will test our law enforcement capabilities, particularly in terms of combating human trafficking,” Davenport stated.
