As millions of fans count down the hours to the opening of the 2026 World Cup, news has shaken Mexican soccer—and women’s soccer in particular. On the afternoon of Tuesday, June 9, the death of América Isabel, a former goalkeeper for Mazatlán FC’s youth academy, was confirmed; she was just 19 years old.
The young athlete was found dead inside a home in the Buena Vista neighborhood of Mazatlán, Sinaloa. The incident has caused shock and grief among family, friends, former teammates, and those within the region’s sports community.
According to local media reports, officers from the Mazatlán Public Security Secretariat responded to the home after receiving a call alerting them to an unconscious woman inside the property.
Upon arrival, officers found the young woman with no vital signs. It was later officially confirmed that the deceased was América Isabel, who had played for Mazatlán FC’s youth teams and was known for her career in women’s soccer in Sinaloa.
