South Africa midfielder Jayden Adams died just weeks after representing his country at the 2026 World Cup, the South African Football Players Union confirmed on Saturday. He was 25 years old.
Police reportedly found a body of a man inside a house in Schotsche Kloof, a neighborhood in central Cape Town, that was later identified as Adams. An investigation has been opened, though a cause of death has yet to be released.
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“It is with profound shock and a heavy heart that I have learnt of the passing of Jayden Adams,” South Africa’s minister of sport, arts and culture Gayton McKenzie said, in a statement. “South African football has lost one of its brightest young talents, and our nation mourns alongside his family, his team-mates and the millions of supporters who watched him grow from a promising academy prospect into a full Bafana Bafana international.”
Adams played in all three of South Africa’s group stage matches, starting in their 1-1 draw against Czechia just hours after learning of the passing of his grandmother. He did not play in Bafana Bafana’s 1-0 loss to Canada in the round of 32.
Adams played for Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa, helping lead the club to the African Champions League championship in the 2025-26 season.
Jayden Adams cause of death
Adams’ cause of death has not been determined, though an investigation is reportedly being opened by Schotsche Kloof police after his body was found in a house.
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Juanito Adams, the midfielder’s father, broke his silence Sunday amid rumors that his son committed suicide.
“As you all know, it was an untimely death,” Juanito told the South African news outlet eNCA. “The family is struggling to process it. It won’t be easy to carry on. People say it will become easier, but it won’t. You just learn to live with it. So, we’ll see what the time ahead holds for us. The whole world is reacting to Jayden’s death. Like I said, it’s very tough, we can see the love the world had for his soccer and for Jayden.”
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What we know about South Africa soccer player Jayden Adams’ death
