South African midfielder Jayden Adams dies at 25, weeks after playing at World Cup

Jayden Adams, the Mamelodi Sundowns and South Africa midfielder, has died at the age of 25, weeks after playing at the 2026 World Cup. South African media reported his death on Saturday.

The cause has not been made public.

Adams featured in all three of South Africa's group matches at the tournament, part of a Bafana Bafana side that reached the World Cup knockout stage for the first time. They went out in the last 32, beaten 1-0 by Canada.

He joined Sundowns in January 2025 from Stellenbosch FC, where he made 139 appearances and won the 2023 Carling Knockout. At Sundowns he added a league title and the CAF Champions League, and he was part of South Africa's bronze-medal squad at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations. He had been due to rejoin the club for pre-season training in Austria.

His death comes only weeks after the biggest stage of his career. Coach Hugo Broos, who guided the team through that run, had spoken about the squad's future after the tournament, with Adams among the young players expected to carry it forward.

As of Saturday, Mamelodi Sundowns had not issued a statement, and the cause of death had not been made public, according to South African media.

He had been expected back for pre-season this month.