According to British and South African media, midfielder Jayden Adams passed away at the age of 25. To date, Mamelodi Sundowns club has not issued an official announcement, while the reason for the player's departure has not been announced.
At the 2026 World Cup, Adams was in the South African national team squad and started in the first two matches of the team. He also had 9 appearances for the national team.
During the tournament, the South African Football Association (SAFA) said Adams still played in the 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic, just one day after his grandmother passed away. The midfielder born in 2001 started but was substituted out after halftime.
The news of Adams' death shocked South African football fans, especially when just one day before that he was still sharing pictures with his girlfriend on social media.
The South African Football Players' Association (SAFPU) has sent deep condolences to Adams' family and loved ones.
In the announcement, SAFPU emphasized that Jayden Adams has just represented South Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a spirit of dedication and national pride. According to this organization, the departure of the 25-year-old midfielder is a great loss for his family, teammates, clubs as well as the entire South African football.
Jayden Adams grew up from Stellenbosch FC's academy before signing a professional contract in 2020. He made 139 appearances for this team, contributing to Stellenbosch winning the 2023 Carling Knockout championship.
In early 2025, Adams moved to Mamelodi Sundowns and continued to achieve success with the Betway Premiership and CAF Champions League titles.
At the national team level, Adams is a South African member who won a bronze medal at the African Cup (AFCON) 2024. In the 2025-2026 season, he played 37 matches for Mamelodi Sundowns in all competitions, scoring 2 goals and having 1 assist before joining the national team to participate in the 2026 World Cup.
The sudden departure of Jayden Adams is considered a major shock to South African football as this player is in the development stage of his career and is expected to continue to play an important role in the club and national team.
