Jayden Adams, 25, dies after making World Cup debut | OneFootball

South Africa midfielder Jayden Adams, 25, has died after making his World Cup debut. He was found in a Cape Town hotel on Saturday.

According to Superdeporte, the player's entourage and the South African players' union, SAFPU, confirmed the news, and the cause has not been made public.

He started against Mexico at the Azteca on 11 July, a 2-0 defeat, then the 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic in Atlanta. He came on in the closing minutes of the 1-0 win over South Korea that took South Africa through to the last 32 for the first time. He did not play in the last-32 match with Canada.

His grandmother died one week before the tournament, yet he still featured in South Africa's historic 2026 World Cup campaign.

A product of Stellenbosch's academy, he later joined Mamelodi Sundowns. Wearing number 8, he became a midfield regular and helped win the CAF Champions League this season. Nine of the 26 players in the national squad are from Sundowns.

Source: Superdeporte