South African footballer Jayden Adams dies at 25

Jayden Adams, a 25-year-old midfielder for Mamelodi Sundowns and the South African national team, died on July 11, 2026, shortly after returning from the World Cup. Adams participated in three group stage matches for South Africa, starting against Mexico and the Czech Republic, and appearing as a substitute in the 1-0 win against South Korea. He did not play in the knockout round match against Canada. Reports regarding the cause of death are currently conflicting. While some sources suggest he suffered from depression and may have died by suicide, other official details remain limited. Adams recently lost his grandmother two weeks prior to the tournament. He was considered a key player, having recently helped his club win the CAF Champions League for the 2025/26 season.