UMVA has learned that a gruesome discovery was made in Tijuana, Mexico, just yards from where Iran's national soccer team is preparing for the 2026 World Cup: a decomposing body was found stuffed inside the trunk of an abandoned vehicle.
The shocking find was made on Friday in a supermarket parking lot directly across from Caliente Stadium, where Iran has established its training base ahead of upcoming matches in the United States. The body was wrapped in a plastic bag and showed signs of violence, authorities said.
According to information obtained by UMVA, residents had been complaining for days about a foul odor coming from a gray Toyota SUV parked in the lot. When officers inspected the vehicle, they found a person wrapped in a black bag in the trunk, with visible signs of violence.
The vehicle, which carried California license plates, appeared to have been sitting in the parking lot since at least Wednesday. Authorities also noted damage to the rear of the SUV. The discovery has sent shockwaves through the community, with thousands of fans descending on Mexico, the United States, and Canada for the World Cup.
Iran's national team has been training under heavy security at Caliente Stadium ahead of its opening match against New Zealand at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Monday. Mexican National Guard personnel were seen securing the area around the team's training facilities as investigators worked nearby.
The incident has raised concerns about safety and security in Tijuana, a city that has long struggled with cartel violence and organized crime. The border city routinely records one of the highest homicide rates in the country and has been plagued by drug trafficking and gang-related killings for years.
Despite the disturbing nature of the discovery, authorities have stated that there is currently no evidence to suggest a connection between the incident and the Iranian national team or the World Cup. The identity of the victim has not been released, and forensic investigators are continuing to examine the scene and collect evidence.
