South Africa World Cup player dead at 25 just weeks after tournament appearance

A nonrecreational shot subordinate who competed successful the World Cup little than 2 weeks agone has died astatine 25.

The South Africa Football Players Union announced the "untimely passing" of midfielder Jayden Adams.

"Death has cruelly stolen 1 of our own. It has robbed our federation of a singular footballer, but it volition ne'er instrumentality distant the bequest Jayden Adams leaves behind," the national said successful a societal media post.

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Jayden Adams of South Africa runs with the shot during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A lucifer betwixt Mexico and South Africa astatine Mexico City Stadium connected June 11, 2026, successful Mexico City, Mexico. (Juan Luis Diaz/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

"We volition everlastingly retrieve his humility, his bonzer endowment and the pridefulness with which helium represented South Africa. Rest successful eternal peace, Jayden. You volition ne'er beryllium forgotten."

"Jayden had lone precocious represented South Africa astatine the 2026 FIFA World Cup, carrying the hopes of the federation with pride, courageousness and distinction," the SAFPU said successful a abstracted connection connected Saturday. "His passing is an immeasurable nonaccomplishment to his family, teammates, clubs, the shot fraternity and the state astatine large."

No origin of decease was instantly known.

Jayden Adams of South Africa competes during a radical A lucifer betwixt Mexico and South Africa astatine the 2026 FIFA World Cup astatine Mexico City Stadium successful Mexico City, Mexico, connected June 11, 2026. (Wu Wei/Xinhua via Getty Images)

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Adams started South Africa's World Cup opener, a 2-0 nonaccomplishment to big federation Mexico. He besides started the team's gully against the Czech Republic earlier coming disconnected the seat successful South Africa's 1-0 triumph implicit South Korea that clinched a spot successful the Round of 32.

He spent six seasons with Stellenbosch FC earlier joining Mamelodi Sundowns.

Adams did not play during the knockout stage.

Jayden Adams of South Africa passes during a FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A lucifer against Czechia astatine Atlanta Stadium successful Atlanta, Ga., connected June 18, 2026. (Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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He was a subordinate of Mamelodi Sundowns, which won the CAF Champions League rubric past year.

Adams scored 2 goals successful 9 appearances for South Africa.

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