Jayden Adams, the Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder who represented South Africa at the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup, has died at the age of 25.
The country’s Minister of Sports, Gayton McKenzie, confirmed the development in a statement on Saturday.
McKenzie described Adams as “one of South African football’s brightest young talents.”
The Confederation of African Football also paid tribute to the late midfielder, saying: “Football has lost one of its own.”
According to reports, police have launched an investigation after the body of a 25-year-old man was discovered at a residence in Schotschekloof, Cape Town.
Adams represented South Africa at the FIFA World Cup, featuring in all three of the country’s group-stage matches and helping the team reach the Round of 32.
He was also a member of the South African squad that finished third at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations.
The former Stellenbosch FC academy product joined Mamelodi Sundowns in 2025, where he won the South African Premiership title and the CAF Champions League.
