South African football has been thrown into mourning following the death of Bafana Bafana midfielder Jayden Adams, whose body was found at a premises in Cape Town on Saturday, less than two weeks after he featured for the national team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Adams, who was 25, had been part of South Africa’s World Cup squad that exited the tournament in the Round of 32 after a defeat to Canada in Los Angeles on June 28.
Police have launched investigations into the incident after his body was discovered in Cape Town.
The cause of his death has not been made public, while a spokesperson appealed for privacy on behalf of the family.
The South African Football Players Union (SAFPU) paid tribute to the Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder, describing his death as a painful loss to the country and the football community.
“The SAFPU is devastated by the untimely passing of Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana midfielder, Jayden Adams. He had only recently represented South Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, carrying the hopes of the nation with pride, courage, and distinction,” a statement from the South African Football Players Union said:
“His passing is an immeasurable loss to his family, teammates, clubs, the football fraternity and country at large,” Safpu added.
Adams featured in all three of South Africa’s group-stage matches at the World Cup, starting the opening two games before remaining on the bench during the Round of 32 loss to Canada.
During the tournament, he earned admiration after playing in South Africa’s 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic just a day after the death of his grandmother, choosing to represent his country despite his personal loss.
The midfielder made his senior debut for South Africa in 2022 and went on to earn nine international caps, scoring two goals for Bafana Bafana.
Born in Cape Town, Adams began his football journey in the Stellenbosch academy before breaking into the senior team, where he made more than 100 appearances between 2020 and 2025.
He joined Mamelodi Sundowns in 2025 and went on to make 40 appearances for the South African Premiership champions before his untimely death.