Body found near stadium where Iran soccer team trains in Tijuana during World Cup

A decomposing corpse was discovered in the trunk of a gray Toyota SUV parked at a supermarket lot opposite the Caliente stadium in Tijuana, Mexico, where the Iran national football team is based for the 2026 World Cup. Police opened the vehicle after a patrol noticed a strong odor; the body was wrapped in a black bag and showed signs of violence. The car had been stationary since Wednesday.

Tijuana, a city with more than 1,200 homicides reported in 2025, is considered one of Mexico’s most dangerous locations. The Iranian team, relocated from Tucson to Tijuana for security reasons, is traveling with a substantial guard detail, including National Guard vehicles that escort the team’s bus at all times. The discovery has raised additional security concerns as the team prepares for its opening match against New Zealand in Los Angeles.

"En inspectant le véhicule, elle a constaté, à l'arrière du coffre, la présence d'une personne enveloppée dans un sac noir, présentant des traces de violence," the Tijuana prosecutor’s office said.