South Africa's Jayden Adams dies at 25, weeks after playing in World Cup

South Africa’s Jayden Adams dies at 25, weeks after playing in the FIFA World Cup, ending the brief international run that had brought him into all three group matches. The 25-year-old midfielder died in South Africa, but the cause of death has not been officially announced. The BBC reported that police in Schotsche Kloof, a neighborhood in Cape Town, opened an investigation after finding his body at a house. Adams played for Mamelodi Sundowns, contributing to the club’s African Champions League title in the 2025–26 season. At the World Cup, he started the 2–0 loss to Mexico, came off the bench against Czechia in a 1–1 draw, and started in the 1–0 win over South Korea, but did not appear in the Round of 32 loss to Canada. South Africa’s sports minister Gayton McKenzie urged restraint and no speculation.