Rome, 11 July (LaPresse) – The football world is in mourning. South African international midfielder Jayden Adams has tragically passed away at the age of 25 during the pre-season break. The circumstances surrounding the death of the Mamelodi Sundowns player are still under investigation. His death comes just a few weeks after the loss of his grandmother, Marianna Adams, aged 72, on 17 June – just one day before he and his Bafana Bafana teammates were due to face the Czech Republic in their 2026 World Cup group stage match in Atlanta. Despite his personal grief, Adams had an excellent World Cup with Bafana Bafana, helping to make the national team’s participation historic as they reached the knockout stages of the tournament for the first time. South Africa were then knocked out in the round of 16, following a narrow 1–0 defeat to co-hosts Canada. Adams started the national team’s first two matches at the World Cup. He has made nine appearances for the national team.
2026 World Cup: South African midfielder Jayden Adams dies
Rome, 11 July (LaPresse) – The football world is in mourning. South African international midfielder Jayden Adams has tragically passed away at the age of 25 during the pre-season break. The circumstances surrounding the death of the Mamelodi Sundowns player are still under investigation. His death comes just a few weeks after the loss of his grandmother, Marianna Adams, aged 72, on 17 June – just one day before he and his Bafana Bafana teammates were due to face the Czech Republic in their 2026 World Cup group stage match in Atlanta. Despite his personal grief, Adams had an excellent World Cup with Bafana Bafana, helping to make the national team’s participation historic as they reached the knockout stages of the tournament for the first time. South Africa were then knocked out in the round of 16, following a narrow 1–0 defeat to co-hosts Canada. Adams started the national team’s first two matches at the World Cup. He has made nine appearances for the national team.
