South African football has been plunged into mourning following the death of Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Jayden Adams, who passed away on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at the age of 25.
Adams’ death was confirmed by those close to him, though the cause remains undisclosed. No official statements had been released by Mamelodi Sundowns or the South African Football Association at the time of this report.
The midfielder had only recently returned from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, where he featured in all three of South Africa’s group-stage matches against Mexico, the Czech Republic and South Korea.
He was part of the squad that reached the knockout stage before exiting to Canada in the round of 32.
His passing comes weeks after the death of his grandmother, Marianna Adams, during the World Cup, a loss that occurred while he was away on national duty.
A graduate of the Stellenbosch FC academy, Adams rose through the ranks to become one of South Africa’s most promising midfielders before joining Mamelodi Sundowns in 2025.
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He made 139 appearances for Stellenbosch, the second-highest tally in the club’s history, and helped the side win the 2023 Carling Knockout Cup.
At Sundowns, he added more silverware to his career, contributing to the club’s Betway Premiership and CAF Champions League triumphs.
Adams earned nine senior caps for Bafana Bafana and was widely regarded as one of the country’s emerging football talents.
His mentor, Brendine Johnson, confirmed the midfielder’s death and appealed for privacy on behalf of the family, describing the loss as devastating.
Adams was expected to return to Sundowns next week after being granted extended leave following the World Cup. Instead, his sudden death has left South African football grieving the loss of a player whose promising journey was cut short.