South African footballer Jayden Adams, a 25-year-old midfielder who represented his country at the 2026 World Cup, has died suddenly, less than two weeks after his most recent tournament appearance. His death was announced by the South Africa Football Players Union, which described it as an "untimely passing" and paid tribute to his impact on the national game. The news has prompted an outpouring of grief, given his youth and the fact that he had so recently been competing on the sport's biggest stage.

In a social media post, the union said "death has cruelly stolen one of our own," adding that it had "robbed our nation of a remarkable footballer" but would "never take away the legacy Jayden Adams leaves behind". Adams featured for South Africa in Group A at the tournament, including a match against Mexico at the Mexico City Stadium on 11 June 2026. The article does not state a cause of death or provide further details about the circumstances.