South African international footballer Jayden Adams has died at the age of 25, the country’s Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture announced on Saturday. The circumstances surrounding his death have not been disclosed. Adams represented South Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, featuring in all three of the team’s group-stage matches. He started against Mexico and the Czech Republic before appearing as a substitute in the 1–0 victory over South Korea. The win secured South Africa’s first appearance in the knockout stage of the World Cup. The team’s campaign ended in defeat to Canada.CNN, citing a Reuters report, stated that Adams played against the Czech Republic shortly after the death of his grandmother. He was substituted at halftime. At club level, Adams represented Pretoria-based Mamelodi Sundowns and helped the team win the 2025/2026 CAF Champions League title. The South African Football Players’ Union described him as a talented footballer who served the game with pride and had a promising future. South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, also expressed condolences to the player’s family, teammates, and supporters.“Our nation mourns alongside his family, his teammates, and the millions of supporters who watched him grow from a promising academy prospect into a full Bafana Bafana international,” McKenzie said.FIFA President Gianni Infantino extended his condolences to Adams’ family, friends, and teammates on behalf of the international football community. Adams developed through the youth system at Stellenbosch FC before joining Mamelodi Sundowns in January 2025. He made his senior international debut against Mozambique in 2022 and earned 13 appearances for South Africa, scoring twice during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.