​South African midfielder Jayden Adams, who represented his country at the ongoing World Cup, died on Saturday at the age of 25, according to Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie. “It is with profound shock and a heavy heart that I have learnt of the passing of Jayden Adams,” McKenzie stated. “South African football has lost one of its brightest young talents.” The minister did not provide a cause of death. Police confirmed they had opened an investigation after the body of a 25-year-old man was found at a house in Schotschekloof, a central Cape Town suburb, on Saturday morning. “Circumstances surrounding this incident are under investigation,” Western Cape police spokesperson FC van Wyk told AFP.
Adams featured in all three of South Africa’s group-stage matches at the World Cup but did not play in the knockout defeat to Canada. Born in Cape Town, he began his professional career with Stellenbosch FC before moving to CAF Champions League winners Mamelodi Sundowns in January 2025.
His passing comes less than a month after the death of his grandmother, who had recently passed away on the eve of South Africa’s Group A match against Czechia at Atlanta Stadium. “Jayden started in the match against Czechia and gave his all while carrying the burden of losing his grandmother,” said the South African Football Association at the time.