Mexican authorities are investigating after a decomposing body was discovered in a vehicle near Caliente Stadium in Tijuana, where Iran's national soccer team has been preparing for its 2026 FIFA World Cup match. The body was found less than 300 meters from the training facility.
Iran's national football team is preparing for their 2026 World Cup opener against New Zealand while training in Tijuana under armed guard, amid cartel violence including a body found outside their stadium and five police officers killed nearby. Additionally, 11 members of Iran's delegation remain banned from entering the United States despite four successful visa appeals.
Iran's national football team landed in Tijuana, Mexico on June 7, 2026, ahead of the FIFA World Cup after the United States denied visas to several team support staff members. The team will be based in Mexico despite all three group stage matches being scheduled in US stadiums, creating a diplomatic row between Tehran and Washington.
