"456 Bags with Human Remains Found" — Security Concerns Mount Near Mexico Stadium Where Hong Myung-bo’s Team Will Play

[Financial News] Security concerns are rising after multiple bags containing human remains were discovered at a stadium in Mexico, one of the venues for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Recently, several foreign media outlets, including Latin Times and Gaceta Express, reported that since 2022, at least 456 bags containing bodies have been found at various locations near Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Jalisco.
Estadio Akron is one of the venues for the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches starting next June. It will also host two out of three group stage matches for the South Korea national football team led by coach Hong Myung-bo.

South Korea has been placed in Group A with Mexico, South Africa, and the winner of the European playoff Path D, and will play all three group stage matches in Mexico.

The area with the highest number of discoveries is Las Agujas, located about 20 kilometers northwest of Estadio Akron, where 290 bags were found during the construction of a residential complex. Additionally, bags containing remains were found in several other locations 10 to 20 kilometers from the stadium, including Zapopan and Tlaquepaque.

Jose Raul Servin Garcia, a representative of a search group in Jalisco, stated, "The bags contained intact remains, mutilated bodies, and bones. It is even more shocking because these discoveries were made near a World Cup venue."
He further criticized, "Mexican authorities are not disclosing all the remains that have been unearthed," adding, "Ahead of the World Cup, they are rushing to process the remains and attempting to cover up the situation."
Some of the bodies are believed to have died less than a year ago, while others are thought to date back to 2018, 2020, and 2022. Since 2006, approximately 480,000 people have died in Mexico due to crimes related to drug trafficking, and more than 120,000 are reported missing.
Jalisco, where Estadio Akron is located, is known as the stronghold of the notorious Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). It also has the second highest number of missing persons in Mexico, with 14,095 registered cases.
Meanwhile, local authorities announced that ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, security is being strengthened with the deployment of 3,000 surveillance cameras, anti-drone equipment, bomb-sniffing dogs, and the National Guard of Mexico.

bng@fnnews.com Hee-sun Kim Reporter