The South African footballer (25) died a few days after his appearance at the World Cup

South Africa international Jayden Adams, who featured in his country’s historic 2026 World Cup campaign, has died at the age of 25, the country’s sports ministry confirmed on Saturday (11 July). No cause of death has been released.

Adams was part of the South Africa team that created history by reaching the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup for the first time. The midfielder played in all three of Bafana Bafana’s group stage matches, starting against Mexico and the Czech Republic before coming off the bench in the decisive 1-0 win over South Korea that sealed qualification for the round of 16. Photo: Reuters

South Africa’s dream run ended with defeat to Canada in the knockout stages, but Adams emerged as one of the key figures in that memorable campaign.

The tournament was also marked by personal tragedies for the midfielder. Adams’ grandmother died a day before South Africa’s group stage match against the Czech Republic, with the 25-year-old substituted at half-time during the match.

At club level, Adams played for Mamelodi Sundowns and helped the Pretoria-based side win the CAF Champions League during the 2025-26 season. He joined the club in January 2025 after coming through the youth ranks at Stellenbosch FC.

The South African Football Players Association paid tribute to the midfielder, naming him as one of the country’s brightest talents.

“South African football has lost a gifted player, a proud servant of the game and a young life that still had so much to offer,” the association said in a statement.

South African Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie also mourned Adams’ death.

“Our nation mourns alongside his family, his teammates and the millions of fans who have watched him grow from a promising academy prospect into a full-fledged Bafana Bafana international,” McKenzie said. Photo: Reuters

FIFA president Gianni Infantino also expressed his condolences in an Instagram post, saying his “thoughts and condolences, as well as those of everyone at FIFA and the global football community, are with his family, friends and teammates.”

Adams made his senior international debut against Mozambique in 2022 and went on to make 13 appearances for South Africa, scoring two goals during the country’s successful qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

His death comes just weeks after he represented South Africa on football’s biggest stage, cutting short the career of a player widely regarded as one of the country’s brightest midfield prospects.

– The end

Issued by:

Kingshuk Kusari

Published on:

11 Jul 2026 20:23 IST