Piratas FC youth player Gael Uscanga dies during training in Veracruz

Gael Uscanga Carranza, a youth footballer aged 15 or 16, passed away on Friday, September 4, 2026, following a medical emergency during a training session with Piratas FC in Veracruz, Mexico.

Uscanga was participating as a guest in the club’s Basic Forces Pilot Plan. According to official statements from Piratas FC, the teenager reported feeling unwell during the warm-up phase of the session. The club’s medical staff activated emergency protocols, evaluated him, and coordinated with emergency services and his mother. He was subsequently transported to the Cruz Roja de Veracruz, where medical professionals confirmed his death.

While an official cause of death has not been formally released by authorities, local reports and journalists have suggested the possibility of heatstroke due to high temperatures and humidity in the region during the training. The incident has sparked discussions regarding training conditions and athlete safety. The Liga de Expansión MX expressed its condolences and announced it would observe a minute of silence during upcoming matches to honor the young player.