South African police have opened an investigation into the death of Bafana Bafana midfielder Jayden Adams, whose body was found at a property in Cape Town's Schotsche Kloof neighbourhood around 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 11. He was 25. Authorities have not released a cause of death, and his father, Juanito Adams, said the family is awaiting autopsy results before making funeral arrangements.
Adams' death comes just two weeks after he helped South Africa reach the knockout stage of a World Cup for the first time, featuring in all three group matches at the 2026 tournament. He earned 13 caps and scored twice in World Cup qualifying. At club level, he joined Mamelodi Sundowns in January 2025 and helped the side win the 2025/26 CAF Champions League.
The sports ministry announced his death on Saturday. Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie revealed that Adams played against the Czech Republic hours after his grandmother's death. Moments of silence were observed before Saturday's World Cup quarter-finals, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed sorrow over the loss.