South Africa midfielder Jayden Adams dies at 25, weeks after World Cup

Mamelodi Sundowns and South Africa midfielder Jayden Adams has died at age 25, weeks after appearing in all three of Bafana Bafana’s group-stage matches as the team advanced to the World Cup’s Round of 32 for the first time in the country’s history at a men’s World Cup.

The South African Football Players Union and South Africa’s Ministry of Sport, Arts & Culture confirmed the death Saturday. The union said in a statement that it was “devastated by the untimely passing” of Adams, adding that he had “recently represented South Africa at the FIFA World Cup, carrying the hopes of the nation with pride, courage and distinction.”

The cause of death has not been made public. Western Cape police confirmed that Cape Town Central authorities have opened an inquest after the body of a 25-year-old man was found Saturday morning at a property in the Schotschekloof area of Cape Town, though authorities have not formally linked the discovery to Adams by name. Police said the circumstances remain under investigation.

South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, urged the public to avoid speculation. “The cause of Jayden’s death has not yet been confirmed, and I wish to appeal to members of the media and the public to exercise restraint and compassion,” Mr. McKenzie said, extending condolences to Adams’ family, including his young daughter, teammates and the broader football community.

Adams started two of South Africa’s three group-stage matches at the tournament and came off the bench in a 1-0 win over South Korea on June 24 that clinched the country’s first-ever berth in the men’s World Cup knockout rounds. He was an unused substitute when South Africa was eliminated by co-host Canada on June 28 in the Round of 32.

He had played through personal tragedy during the group stage, starting a 1-1 draw with Czechia a day after the death of his grandmother, Marianna Adams.

Adams began his career at Stellenbosch FC before joining Mamelodi Sundowns in January 2025, where he won the Betway Premiership and, this past May, the CAF Champions League. He dedicated his Champions League winners’ medal to former Stellenbosch teammate Oshwin Andries, who died in a stabbing in 2023.

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