South African international midfielder Jayden Adams, who featured in all three of his side's group stage games at the 2026 World Cup, has died at the age of 25, the country's sports ministry announced on Saturday.

Adams started the Group A fixtures against Mexico and the Czech Republic and came off the bench in South Africa's 1-0 win over South Korea, which secured the nation's first-ever place in the World Cup knockout rounds. South Africa was later eliminated by Canada.

The player's grandmother passed away a day before the match against the Czech Republic, and Adams was replaced at halftime during that fixture. The South African Football Association noted, "Jayden started in the match against Czechia and gave his all while carrying the burden of losing his grandmother."

Born in Cape Town, Adams began his professional career with Stellenbosch FC before joining Pretoria-based Mamelodi Sundowns in January 2025. He helped Sundowns win the African Champions League title in the 2025/26 season. Adams made his international debut against Mozambique in 2022, earning 13 caps and scoring two goals in qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

South Africa's Minister of Sport, Gayton McKenzie, expressed his condolences, stating, "It is with profound shock and a heavy heart that I have learnt of the passing of Jayden Adams. Our nation mourns alongside his family, his teammates and the millions of supporters who watched him grow from a promising academy prospect into a full Bafana Bafana international."

The South African Football Players' Union described Adams as "a gifted player, a proud servant of the game and a young life that still had so much to offer."

Police opened an investigation after Adams' body was found at a house in Schotschekloof, a suburb in central Cape Town. Western Cape police spokesperson FC van Wyk told AFP, "Circumstances surrounding this incident are under investigation."

Sources