A corpse in an advanced state of decomposition was found in the trunk of a gray Toyota SUV, model RAV4, parked in the courtyard of a supermarket in Tijuana, Mexico. The vehicle was a few meters from the Caliente Stadium, where the Iranian national team carries out daily training for the 2026 World Cup.
Supermarket employees smelled a strong odor coming from the car, which had remained there since the beginning of the week. Police were called and, upon opening the trunk, they located the body wrapped in a black bag and with obvious signs of violence. Experts in protective suits carried out the first examinations at the site before removal.
The discovery occurred on Friday (12), while the Iranian delegation was completing activities at the stadium. The team left the site shortly after removing the vehicle and maintained the normal training schedule. So far, the Tijuana Prosecutor’s Office has not identified any connection between the case and the team’s presence or the tournament.
Tijuana and the security context
Tijuana remains among the most violent cities in Mexico, even with a reduction in homicides in 2025. Preliminary data from the Fiscalía General del Estado indicate around 1,219 homicides in the year, a drop of approximately 32% compared to the 1,809 recorded in 2024. The border region continues to have a high crime rate.
For security reasons, the Iranian team travels daily between the hotel and the training center in an armed National Guard convoy. The journey only takes a minute, but is done with strong surveillance.
Change of plans due to diplomatic tensions
Iran had to set up its base at the last minute in Mexico after members of the federation were denied visas by the United States, amid tensions between Washington and Tehran. The team supervisor, Mahdi Mohammad Nabi, publicly criticized the lack of coordination for this edition of the World Cup.
Players received American visas, but with restrictions: the team can only enter and leave the USA on the same day as the matches. Iran debuts next Monday (15), in Los Angeles, in Group G.
Despite the incident, the Iranian team, known as Team Melli, remains focused on preparation. The case illustrates the extra security challenges the country faces at the World Cup hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada.