Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su, Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) Commissioner Faiza N. Ali, Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Sam A.A. Levine, and Commissioner Saloni Sethi of the Mayor's Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV) launched the NYC World Cup Referee Kit, a new "Know Your Rights" resource that features materials inspired by soccer's "yellow" and "red" card system that will be distributed to consumers, low-wage workers, immigrants, and other New Yorkers during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The administration is leading this $130K initiative to keep all New Yorkers safe.
"The World Cup is a time when people from around the world come together around a shared love of soccer. We have no tolerance for those who want to use the tournament as an opportunity to take advantage of New Yorkers, whether that's through deceptive business practices, violations of our labor laws, or other forms of exploitation," said Mayor Mamdani. "Our administration is launching this blitz to ensure that New Yorkers and visitors know their rights and know that our administration stands ready to uphold the law."
The cards in the World Cup Referee Kit are designed to be easy to carry and provide simple, accessible information to ensure workers, consumers, visitors, and immigrant New Yorkers know their rights. The new resources will be distributed at citywide outreach events, through MOIA-led commercial corridor canvasses in immigrant neighborhoods prior to matches, public watch parties, libraries, and community events.
"Behind large-scale events like the World Cup are tens of thousands of hotel workers, taxi drivers, stadium workers, and countless others who make these events possible. Many of these workers are immigrants themselves, and we have a responsibility to ensure that they know their rights as workers, consumers, and as immigrant New Yorkers," said Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su.
"As New York City welcomes visitors from around the globe for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, we want every immigrant New Yorker and traveler to be equipped with the resources to help keep them safe, informed, and supported," said MOIA Commissioner Faiza N. Ali. "No matter where you come from or what language you speak, the Mamdani administration remains committed to ensuring that all people are welcomed and empowered to know their rights throughout this global tournament and beyond."
"As New York City prepares to welcome millions of visitors for the FIFA World Cup, we are making sure workers know their rights and the protections available to them," said DCWP Commissioner Samuel A.A. Levine. "Over the next six weeks, DCWP will meet workers where they are-at transit hubs, commercial corridors, and other high-traffic locations across the city-to share information about workplace protections and connect New Yorkers with resources. Our message is simple: Every worker should know their rights, use their rights, and know who to turn to when those rights are violated."
"Major sporting events can create conditions where workers, visitors and vulnerable community members face increased risks of harm, including human trafficking and labor exploitation," said Commissioner Saloni of the Mayor's Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV). "As New Yorkers, we have a shared responsibility to keep our communities safe and ensure service workers are treated with respect. ENDGBV's services are free, confidential and available to everyone, regardless of immigration status. Anyone who experiences or witnesses trafficking or harassment can contact NYC's 24-Hour Hope Hotline at 1-800-621-HOPE (4673) to speak with an advocate."
The World Cup Referee Kit includes resources that inform immigrant New Yorkers of their rights if they have interactions with ICE, worker and consumer protections for those working during the summer events, and various city hotlines that are free, safe, and confidential to use. The cards are translated into Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Bangla, Haitian Creole, Korean, Arabic, Polish, Urdu, French, and Wolof.
The yellow cards in the Kit include MOIA's Immigration legal Support hotline, NYC's Hope hotline for those experiencing domestic or gender-based violence, as well as victims of any crime, and a reminder to call 311 to report labor violations. The Kit's red cards feature Know Your Rights information for those who may encounter ICE in their workplace, public spaces, or at home.
Mayor Mamdani joined Commissioner Levine today in Brooklyn to launch a Worker Rights Day of Action series aimed at educating New York City workers about their rights. From now through July 15, DCWP will conduct Know Your Rights canvass blitzes at high-traffic locations in all five boroughs to distribute the Workers' Bill of Rights-a landmark guide to workplace protections-and inform 20,000 New Yorkers about their rights under the City's Protected Time Off Law, Fair Workweek Law, and Safe Hotels Act. Protections include the sufficient advance notice before cancelled shifts, additional pay for "clopenings", and consistent weekly schedules.
Mayor Mamdani's administration invites community partners and visitors to utilize the Referee Kit throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup and remains committed to ensuring that all New Yorkers and visitors are welcomed in our city regardless of immigration status.
