South Africa World Cup midfielder Adams dead at 25
South Africa international midfielder Jayden Adams, who featured in all three of his side's group stage games at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, has died, the country's sports ministry announced on Sunday (AEST).
No cause of death was given.
Adams, 25, started the Group A fixtures against Mexico and Czech Republic, and came off the bench in the 1-0 win over Korea Republic that earned the nation its first place in the knockout rounds, where it was beaten by Canada.
The player's grandmother died a day before South Africa played Czech Republic, and he was replaced at half-time during the fixture.
He played for the Pretoria-based Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa, helping it to the African Champions League title in the 2025-2026 season.
"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," a statement from the South African Football Players' Union, an official body for players in the country, read.
South Africa's minister of sport Gayton McKenzie also expressed his condolences.
"Our nation mourns alongside his family, his teammates and the millions of supporters who watched him grow from a promising academy prospect into a full Bafana Bafana international," McKenzie said.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino offered his condolences via Instagram, saying his "thoughts and condolences, as well as those of everyone at FIFA and the global football community, are with his family, friends and team-mates".
Adams came through the youth development structures at Stellenbosch FC and joined Sundowns in January 2025.
He made his international debut against Mozambique in 2022 and won 13 caps, scoring two goals, both in qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
