Body found near Iran’s World Cup training base in Mexico days before game
A decomposing body was found in a vehicle in a supermarket car park directly opposite Iran’s World Cup 2026 training facility in Tijuana, Mexico, as local authorities confirmed they are investigating the death
Iran have been training at Club Tijuana’s facilities in Mexico
Local authorities have confirmed the discovery of a decomposing body in a vehicle parked near Iran’s World Cup training centre in Tijuana, Mexico The grim find was made in a supermarket car park directly opposite the facility being utilised by Iran during the 2026 World Cup.
The vehicle had reportedly been abandoned there for several days before authorities were alerted to a potent smell emanating from within.
According to the prosecutor’s office in Tijuana, officers who attended the scene found a body in the boot of a grey Toyota SUV, believed to have been there since the previous Wednesday (June 10).
“Upon inspecting the vehicle, they found a person wrapped in a black bag in the trunk, showing signs of violence,” stated authorities in an initial report.
The identity of the victim has not yet been disclosed by authorities, and investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the death.
Despite the unsettling discovery close to Iran’s World Cup base, preparations within the camp have proceeded without disruption as the team concentrates on its tournament opener, reports the Mirror US.
Iran had originally intended to establish its training camp in Arizona, but visa and travel restrictions affecting members of the Iranian delegation necessitated a relocation to Mexico. The squad is currently stationed in Tijuana and will journey into the United States for its World Cup matches.
Iran touched down in Tijuana last week and has been preparing at Club Tijuana’s training ground while dealing with the logistical headaches stemming from the visa row. Multiple federation officials and backroom staff were allegedly refused entry visas to the United States, leading FIFA and tournament organisers to sanction a Mexico-based training camp for the entirety of the group stage.
Placed in Group G, Iran will take on Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand as they attempt to progress to the knockout rounds. Earlier this week, The Iranian Football Federation released a scathing statement after fans were told that their ticket allocation for World Cup fixtures had been withdrawn.
Concerning the decision to withdraw the ticket allocation that had permitted supporters to buy match tickets, the federation said in a statement: “With less than 3 days left until the start of the 2026 World Cup, unfortunately, in a series of decisions and actions outside the conventional sporting frameworks by the host country. This time the United States has attempted to sabotage the presence of Iranian fans in the stadium where the national team will be playing 3 games in the group stage of the 23rd World Cup.
“According to the regulations and common procedures set by FIFA, 8% of the ticket capacity for each match is allocated to the federations participating in the World Cup so that fans from each country can purchase tickets through an official mechanism and in coordination with their respective federations. However, in an unexpected move, the quota allocated to the Iranian Football Federation has been withdrawn from this complex, and under the current circumstances, it is not possible to provide even a single ticket to the fans of the national team through the federation.
“This is despite the fact that many Iranian football enthusiasts had made the necessary plans to attend the tournament venue, trusting in the officially announced process. Depriving Iranian fans of access to the legal and official quota of allocated tickets is contrary to the spirit of international competitions and the principle of equality between participating countries.”
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