South African midfielder Jayden Adams, who represented his country at the ongoing 2026 World Cup, has died at the age of 25.
The Cape Town-born midfielder began his professional career with Stellenbosch FC before joining Mamelodi Sundowns in January 2025. He featured in all three of South Africa’s group-stage matches at the tournament but did not play in the team’s knockout defeat to Canada.
South Africa’s Sports Minister, Gayton McKenzie, confirmed his death on Saturday, describing Adams as “one of South African football’s brightest young talents.”
The minister did not disclose the cause of death.
Police said they had launched an investigation 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.
“Circumstances surrounding this incident are under investigation,” Western Cape police spokesperson FC van Wyk said.
His death comes less than a month after the passing of his grandmother, whom the South African Football Association said he was mourning while representing his country at the World Cup.
