Body Found Near Iran Team Camp Shocks Mexican Training Site

The Iranian national football team's camp in Tijuana, Mexico, experienced a shock after authorities found a dead body inside a car parked near the team's training center just days before their 2026 World Cup campaign begins.

Local media reports, cited by the Spanish newspaper "AS," stated that Mexican authorities discovered the corpse inside a vehicle that had been stationary for several days in a parking lot near a store close to the "Caliente" stadium, where Iran is preparing for its opening group stage match against New Zealand.

The Tijuana Public Prosecutor's Office explained that a security patrol responded to complaints about a foul odor emanating from a gray Toyota SUV parked in the area.

Authorities' initial report indicated that security personnel found the body wrapped in a black bag inside the vehicle's rear trunk, with visible signs of violence on the corpse. Investigations have commenced to determine the circumstances of the incident and the victim's identity.

Preliminary inquiries revealed that the car had been parked there since the previous Wednesday, and the foul smell led to the discovery of the body.

So far, neither the Iranian Football Federation nor the coaching staff, led by Amir Ghalenoei, have issued official statements regarding the incident, which has stirred controversy and concern around the team's accommodation and training site before their first appearance in the global tournament.

The Iranian team is scheduled to play its opening 2026 World Cup match against New Zealand in the early hours of the upcoming Tuesday. The incident has created an unusual atmosphere around the team's camp in Mexico ahead of their subsequent group matches against Belgium and Egypt in Group G.