South Africa international midfielder Jayden Adams has died at the age of 25, just weeks after representing his country at the World Cup.
The Mamelodi Sundowns player featured in all three of South Africa’s group-stage matches at the tournament, helping Bafana Bafana reach the knockout rounds for the first time before their elimination by co-hosts Canada.
The cause of his death has not yet been confirmed.
Police in South Africa said an investigation had been launched after the body of a 25-year-old man was found at a house in Schotschekloof, a suburb of central Cape Town, on Saturday morning.
South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, announced the player’s death, describing it as a “huge loss” to the nation’s football community.
“South African football has lost one of its brightest young talents, and our nation mourns alongside his family, his team-mates and the millions of supporters,” Mr. McKenzie said in a statement.
The minister also urged the public and the media to avoid speculation while authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the death, asking for privacy for the family and his club.
The South African Football Players’ Union described the midfielder’s passing as an “immeasurable loss”.
Adams made his senior international debut in 2022 and was part of the South African squad that reached the semi-finals of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations.
During the recent World Cup, he made headlines after playing in South Africa’s 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic just hours after learning that his grandmother had died.
Having started his professional career at Stellenbosch FC, Adams joined Mamelodi Sundowns in January 2025, where he went on to win the South African league title and the CAF Champions League.
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