South African footballer Jayden Adams has died at the age of 25, only weeks after representing his country at the 2026 World Cup. The Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder featured in three of South Africa's four matches at the tournament, starting the group-stage opener, a 2-0 defeat by Mexico, and the 1-1 draw with Czechia before coming off the bench in the 1-0 win over South Korea; he took no part in the 1-0 last-32 loss to Canada. His death marks the loss of one of the nation's most promising young talents, prompting an outpouring of grief from across the football world.

Adams's body was found on Saturday morning at a house in Schotsche Kloof, a suburb of central Cape Town, and Western Cape police have opened an investigation into the circumstances, with no cause of death disclosed. He came through Stellenbosch FC's youth system, becoming their first academy product to sign a professional contract, and made 139 appearances for the club, helping them win the 2023 Carling Knockout before joining Sundowns in January 2025. Tributes were led by the sport minister, Gayton McKenzie, Fifa president Gianni Infantino and the South African Football Players Union, who each described his death as an immeasurable loss to his family, clubs and country.