World Cup 2026: Decomposed body found near Iran camp in Mexico; FIFA criticised over US broadcast ad breaks

Police in Tijuana, Mexico, discovered a decomposing corpse in a black bag inside a gray SUV parked near the Iranian national team's training site at the Caliente stadium. The body showed signs of violence and was uncovered during a routine patrol check. Local authorities secured the scene, removed the vehicle and the remains, and opened an investigation. Iran's squad, which was relocated from the United States to Mexico because of heightened US‑Iran tensions, has been under tight security since arriving.

During the same tournament, FIFA faced backlash over two separate policies. First, the federation initially barred players from giving post‑match interviews in Spanish, allowing only English or their native language, a rule that was quickly reversed after criticism. More controversially, three‑minute hydration breaks—intended for player health in the heat—were alleged to be used by U.S. broadcasters to insert additional commercial advertising. Images showed FIFA officials waiting for ad spots before resuming play, prompting European federations to demand clarification. FIFA maintains the breaks are purely medical and denies coordination with broadcasters.