Jayden Adams dies aged 25 weeks after playing at the 2026 World Cup | OneFootball

South Africa and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Jayden Adams has died aged 25, only weeks after appearing at the 2026 World Cup. The South African Football Players Union confirmed the news on Saturday and said it was devastated, sending condolences to his family, Sundowns, Stellenbosch and the national team. The cause of death has not been made public.

Adams started the opening 2-0 defeat to Mexico at the Azteca, then the 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic in Atlanta. He came on late in the 1-0 win over South Korea, a result that took Bafana Bafana into the last 32 for the first time.

His tournament was already marked by personal loss. His grandmother, Marianna Adams, died aged 72 in a Stellenbosch hospital on 18 June, the day before the Czech Republic game, and he still played the first half.

Capped nine times since his 2024 debut, Adams came through at Stellenbosch before joining Mamelodi Sundowns last summer. In Pretoria he was regarded as one of South Africa’s leading prospects and arrived at the World Cup on an upward curve.

Mamelodi Sundowns had not issued an official confirmation at the time of writing.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo