Mexican authorities in Tijuana have recovered a severely decomposed body from the trunk of an abandoned vehicle, discovered just metres from where the Iranian national football team is based ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The car was found parked in a supermarket lot directly opposite Estadio Caliente, the stadium where Iran have been conducting their training sessions. The team's secure hotel and training facilities are no more than a one-minute drive from the scene.

Investigation under way

A source from the local police told AFP that officers found the body during a routine vehicle search. "During the vehicle search, we found one body wrapped in a black bag inside the trunk. Signs of assault were confirmed on the body," the source said.

A spokesperson for the Tijuana Attorney General's Office confirmed that patrol officers had flagged the vehicle as suspicious before conducting the inspection. "During an inspection of the vehicle, a body wrapped in a black bag bearing signs of violence was found in the trunk," the spokesperson said.

Forensic investigators in white protective suits processed the scene, collecting evidence before the body was removed. The investigation is being handled exclusively by the Tijuana Prosecutor's Office.

No direct threat to Iranian squad

Authorities have stated that there is no immediate evidence to suggest the Iranian football delegation was the intended target of the killing. However, the discovery has prompted a tightening of security measures around the camp.

Iran's squad had already been accompanied by armed military escorts since their arrival in Mexico, a precaution that remains in force as the investigation continues.

A city with severe security challenges

Tijuana has long grappled with serious security issues. Official statistics recorded more than 1,200 murders in the city in 2025 alone, underscoring the scale of the challenge facing local authorities as the country co-hosts one of football's biggest tournaments.