South African and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Jayden Adams has passed away at 25 years old as confirmed by the South African Football Players Union.
Adams, who represented Bafana Bafana, was reportedly found dead in Cape Town on Saturday morning, weeks after returning from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the Americas with the national team.
Circumstances surrounding how he died are still developing.
“Cape Town Central police registered an Inquest for investigation following the discovery of the body of a 25-year-old male on Saturday, 2026-07-11 at 11:06 at a premises in Military Road, Scotscheskloof,” Western Cape South African Police Service spokesperson F.C. van Wyk told ESPN.
Adams started two of South Africa’s three World Cup matches, helping the country make history by reaching the knockout stage in a 1-0 win over South Korea on June 24.
On June 28, he was an unused substitute when South Africa were knocked out of the tournament by Canada.
Despite the adrenaline-pumping energy of the games, the 25-year-old had been reportedly mourning the death of his 72-year-old grandmother, Marianna Adams.
Marianna Adams passed away two weeks ago, just before the Bafana game against Czechia at Atlanta Stadium.
Jayden Adams’ partner, Chesney, revealed that ever since the death of his grandmother two weeks ago, Jayden hasn’t been eating well and has been struggling with depression. She said that during the World Cup, whenever she called him, he never sounded like himself. According to… pic.twitter.com/c0o50cd8dn
— MUSCÖ
(@Ayo__musco) July 11, 2026
The South African Football Players Union said in a Saturday statement: “The South African Football Players Union (SAFPU) is devastated by the untimely passing of Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana midfielder Jayden Adams.
“Jayden had only recently represented South Africa at the FIFA World Cup, carrying the hopes of the nation with pride, courage and distinction. His passing is an immeasurable loss to his family, teammates, clubs, the football fraternity and the country at large.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the Adams family, Mamelodi Sundowns, Stellenbosch FC, Bafana Bafana and all those whose lives he touched.
“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.
“May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
Jayden Adams’ father, Juanito Adams, told eNCA that “the family is struggling to process” his death.