Mexican authorities have launched an investigation after a decomposing body was discovered inside the trunk of a vehicle parked close to the training base of Iran’s national football team during the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The body was found on Friday in a grey Toyota SUV with California licence plates parked in a supermarket car park opposite Caliente Stadium in Tijuana, where the Iranian team has been preparing for its tournament matches.
Journalists at the scene watched as police officers opened the vehicle and forensic experts, dressed in protective suits, examined the remains before removing the body.
According to officials from the Tijuana prosecutor’s office, the discovery was made during a routine patrol.
“After inspecting the vehicle, officers found a person wrapped in a black bag inside the trunk, showing signs of violence,” a spokesperson said.
Authorities believe the vehicle may have been abandoned since Wednesday.
The condition of the body suggested it had been left in the vehicle for several days. Temperatures in Tijuana have hovered around 28 degrees Celsius in recent days, with prolonged exposure to heat likely accelerating decomposition.
The discovery came as World Cup matches continued across Mexico, the United States and Canada, which are jointly hosting the tournament.
Iran’s national team, known as Team Melli, is using Tijuana as its training base after relocating its camp from Arizona due to ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States.
Since arriving in Mexico, the team has operated under tight security, travelling between its hotel and training venue under armed military escort.
On Friday, the Iranian delegation left the stadium shortly after authorities removed the body from the scene.
There was no immediate indication that the incident was connected to the football team.
Tijuana remains one of Mexico’s most violent cities, largely due to the activities of organised crime groups operating along the US-Mexico border.
Official figures show that more than 1,200 homicides were recorded in the city in 2025 alone, making it one of the country’s deadliest urban centres.
Authorities have yet to identify the victim or announce any arrests as investigations continue.
