Jayden Adams, the South Africa and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder who featured in his country’s historic World Cup campaign, has died at the age of 25.
Police in South Africa opened an investigation after the body of a 25-year-old man was discovered at a property in Schotsche Kloof, a suburb in central Cape Town, on the morning of 11 July. No cause of death has been confirmed.
Adams played in all three of South Africa’s group stage fixtures at the tournament, starting the opening 2-0 defeat by Mexico and the 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic before coming off the bench in the 1-0 win against South Korea. He was not involved in the last-32 defeat by co-hosts Canada. Notably, he started against the Czech Republic having learned of his grandmother’s passing only hours before kick-off.
South Africa’s minister of sport Gayton McKenzie led the tributes, describing Adams as one of the country’s brightest young talents and calling on the media and public to exercise restraint while the family and club were given space to grieve.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino also paid his respects, saying the football world would sorely miss the Bafana Bafana star.
Adams came through the youth ranks at Stellenbosch, becoming their first academy product to sign a professional contract and making 139 appearances before joining Mamelodi Sundowns in January 2025. He made his international debut in 2022 and was part of the squad that reached the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals.
