By: Precious Miracle Kargbo Snr
South Africa international midfielder Jayden Adams has died at the age of 25, just weeks after representing Bafana Bafana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Adams was found dead on Saturday, 11 July 2026 at a property in the Schotsche Kloof neighbourhood of central Cape Town. Cape Town central police have registered an inquest and opened an investigation. No cause of death has been confirmed.
The Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana midfielder played in all three of South Africa’s group stage matches at the World Cup. He started against Mexico and Czechia and came off the bench in the 1-0 win over South Korea that sent South Africa to the knockout round for the first time in its history. He did not feature in the 1-0 Round of 32 loss to Canada on 28 June.
Adams played that match against Czechia just hours after learning of his grandmother’s death and was substituted at halftime.
At club level, the Cape Town-born defensive midfielder came through Stellenbosch FC’s academy before joining Mamelodi Sundowns in January 2025. He helped Sundowns win the 2025-26 CAF Champions League and the South African Premiership.
Tributes have poured in from across football. South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie said: “South African football has lost one of its brightest young talents, and our nation mourns alongside his family, his team-mates and the millions of supporters”.
The South African Football Players Union said it was “devastated by the untimely passing” and called it “an immeasurable loss to his family, teammates, clubs, the football fraternity and the country at large”. FIFA President Gianni Infantino also offered condolences, saying Adams “will be sorely missed”.
Adams’ longtime partner Aqueelah Adendorf posted a tribute on Instagram saying “There are no words to describe the pain I’m feeling”.
Adams made his senior international debut in 2022 and earned 13 caps for South Africa, scoring 2 goals.
Jayden Oswin Adams was born 5 May 2001 in Cape Town. He played as a defensive midfielder and winger. He made 109 league appearances for Stellenbosch between 2020-2025 and 40 for Mamelodi Sundowns in 2025-2026.