South Africa World Cup midfielder Jayden Adams dies at 25

South Africa international midfielder Jayden Adams, who played at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, has died at the age of 25. His death was confirmed by South Africa's Minister of Sport, Gayton McKenzie, on Saturday. No cause of death has been officially given, though police in Cape Town have opened an investigation after a body was found at a house in Schotschekloof Source: euronewsen.

World Cup heroics

Adams featured in all three of South Africa's group-stage matches, starting against Mexico and the Czech Republic and coming off the bench in the 1-0 win over South Korea that secured the nation's first-ever place in the knockout rounds Source: CNA. He played the Czech Republic match only hours after learning his grandmother had died, and was substituted at halftime Source: AP News.

Career and tributes

Adams came through the youth ranks at Stellenbosch FC before joining Mamelodi Sundowns in January 2025, helping the club win the CAF Champions League in the 2025/26 season Source: CNN. South African Football Players Union said: "South African football has lost a gifted player, a proud servant of the game and a young life that still had so much to offer" Source: Al Jazeera. FIFA president Gianni Infantino also offered condolences Source: CNN.