South Africa midfielder Jayden Adams dies at 25

South Africa international midfielder Jayden Adams has died at the age of 25, the country's sports ministry announced on Saturday (July 11), just weeks after helping Bafana Bafana reach the FIFA World Cup knockout stage for the first time. No cause of death was disclosed.

Adams featured in all three of South Africa's Group A matches at the 2026 World Cup, starting against Mexico and the Czech Republic before coming off the bench in the 1-0 victory over South Korea that secured the nation's maiden place in the knockout rounds. South Africa's campaign ended with a defeat to Canada in the Round of 32.

The midfielder suffered a personal tragedy during the tournament after his grandmother died a day before the Czech Republic match. He was substituted at halftime of that fixture.

At club level, Adams played for Mamelodi Sundowns, helping the Pretoria-based side win the 2025-26 CAF Champions League title after joining the club from Stellenbosch FC in January 2025.

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

Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie also expressed condolences, saying the nation had lost a player who had grown "from a promising academy prospect into a full Bafana Bafana international."

FIFA President Gianni Infantino offered his sympathies in an Instagram post, extending condolences on behalf of FIFA and the global football community to Adams' family, friends and teammates.

Adams made his senior international debut against Mozambique in 2022 and earned 13 caps for South Africa, scoring two goals—both during the country's successful qualification campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.