South Africa international midfielder Jayden Adams, who helped Bafana Bafana reach the knockout stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time, has died at the age of 25.
The country's sports ministry announced his passing on Saturday (11 July). No cause of death was disclosed.
Adams' death comes just weeks after he played a key role in South Africa's historic World Cup campaign, during which the national team reached the knockout rounds for the first time.
His passing has prompted an outpouring of grief across South African football.
At club level, Adams played for Mamelodi Sundowns, helping the Pretoria-based side win the 2025/26 CAF Champions League title after joining from Stellenbosch FC in January 2025.
He progressed through Stellenbosch's youth academy before making the move to one of Africa's most successful clubs.
Adams made his senior international debut against Mozambique in 2022 and earned 13 caps for South Africa, scoring twice in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
The South African Football Players' Union described Adams as a gifted footballer whose career had only just begun to flourish.
"South African football has lost a gifted player, a proud servant of the game and a young life that still had so much to offer," the union said in a statement.
Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie also paid tribute, saying the nation was mourning alongside Adams' family, teammates and supporters.
"Our nation mourns alongside his family, his teammates and the millions of supporters who watched him grow from a promising academy prospect into a full Bafana Bafana international," McKenzie said.
Neither Mamelodi Sundowns nor the South African Football Association immediately commented following the announcement.
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