Body found outside Iran's training center in Tijuana

A few days before the debut of the Iran national team against New Zealand in the 2026 World Cup, a grisly discovery shook the camp of the Asian side in the city of Tijuana, Baja California.

Mexican authorities found a corpse in a advanced state of decomposition inside the trunk of a parked truck in front of Estadio Caliente, the facility serving as the Iran squad’s training center during the World Cup. Initial reports indicate the body was wrapped in a black bag and showed signs of violence.

The vehicle, a gray Toyota truck, had been abandoned for several days in the parking lot of a supermarket located just meters from the stadium. Neighbors and passersby alerted authorities because of the strong odor coming from the car, which led to a police inspection and the subsequent discovery of the body.

Body found outside Iran’s training center in Tijuana

The prosecutor’s office confirmed it opened an investigation to determine the victim’s identity and clarify the circumstances of the crime. So far no arrests have been reported, nor has any link been established between the incident and the Iran national team. In fact, authorities have been emphatic in stating there is no evidence tying the Asian team to the case and that the incident’s international significance is solely due to the proximity of the discovery to the team’s World Cup camp.

The side coached by Amir Ghalenoei will travel in the coming hours to the United States to focus fully on what will be their opening match in the tournament against New Zealand next Monday in Los Angeles.

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