South Africa midfielder Jayden Adams has died aged 25, only weeks after representing his country at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Mamelodi Sundowns player’s death was confirmed on Saturday, 11 July, as officials urged the public to avoid speculation while the circumstances are investigated.
The cause of Adams’ death had not been confirmed at the time of publication.
South African police said they had opened an investigation after the body of a 25-year-old man was found at a house in Schotsche Kloof, a neighbourhood in central Cape Town, on Saturday morning. Reports have linked the police inquiry to Adams’ death, but officials have not released further details about what happened.
South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, said the country had lost one of its most promising footballers.
“South African football has lost one of its brightest young talents,” the minister said in a statement.
McKenzie asked journalists, supporters and social media users to show restraint and respect the privacy of Adams’ family and teammates. He said any confirmed information about the death would be released by the appropriate authorities.
Adams had recently played in all three of South Africa’s group matches at the World Cup.
He started the 2-0 defeat by Mexico and the 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic before coming off the bench during a 1-0 victory over South Korea. That win helped Bafana Bafana qualify for the knockout stage for the first time.
The team’s campaign ended with a 1-0 defeat by co-hosts Canada in the round of 32. Adams was part of the matchday squad but did not play in the game.
His death has brought renewed sadness to a tournament in which Adams had already suffered a personal loss. The original Punch report said he played against the Czech Republic shortly after learning that his grandmother had died.
The South African Football Players Union described his death as an “immeasurable loss” to his family, clubs, teammates and the country.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino also offered condolences to Adams’ relatives, friends, Mamelodi Sundowns teammates and the wider football community.
His death comes as supporters continue to follow the later stages of the tournament, including the World Cup quarter-finals and the progress of African teams at the competition.
Born in Cape Town, Adams developed through the Stellenbosch FC academy and became the club’s first academy player to sign a professional contract.
He made his senior debut at 19 and went on to make 139 appearances for Stellenbosch. He helped the club win the Carling Knockout trophy in 2023 before completing a move to Mamelodi Sundowns in January 2025.
Adams made his senior South Africa debut in 2022. He later formed part of the Bafana Bafana squad that finished third at the Africa Cup of Nations tournament played in early 2024.
The midfielder continued to develop after joining Sundowns and became part of South Africa’s plans for the 2026 World Cup. His appearances at the tournament marked the highest point of a career that had begun in the Stellenbosch youth system.
Former club Stellenbosch said Adams had left a lasting legacy, while tributes from supporters and football organisations focused on his ability, humility and commitment to the national team.