Body found near Iran's World Cup training site in Tijuana

Mexican police discovered a decomposing human body in the trunk of a gray Toyota SUV parked in a supermarket lot directly opposite Caliente Stadium in Tijuana, the training base of Iran’s national football team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The vehicle bore California licence plates and the corpse was wrapped in a black bag, showing signs of violence, according to the Tijuana prosecutor’s office.

The discovery was made by a police patrol after residents reported a strong foul odor. Investigators in white protective suits examined the scene before removing the body, and the team’s convoy of armed National Guard vehicles left the stadium minutes after the find. Iranian officials have not indicated any change to the team’s schedule, and the identity of the victim remains unknown. Tijuana, a city with more than 1,200 homicides recorded in 2025, is considered one of Mexico’s most dangerous locations, prompting heightened security for the visiting squad.