Police have launched an investigation following the death of South Africa international Jayden Adams just weeks after the midfielder featured at the World Cup.
The 25-year-old, who played for Mamelodi Sundowns and represented his country in this summer’s tournament, was found dead at a property in Cape Town on Saturday morning.
Authorities have confirmed an inquest has been opened, although the cause of Adams’ death has not yet been established.
A police statement said: “Cape Town Central police registered an inquest for investigation following the discovery of the body of a 25-year-old male on Saturday.”
Officers discovered Adams’ body at a property in the Schotsche Kloof area of Cape Town at around 11am local time.
No further details have been released while investigations continue.
The news has shocked South African football, coming less than a fortnight after Adams helped his country reach the knockout stages of a World Cup for the first time.
Police have launched an investigation following the death of South Africa international Jayden Adams just weeks after the midfielder featured at the World Cup
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GETTY
The midfielder featured in all three group-stage matches before South Africa’s campaign came to an end with a 1-0 defeat to Canada in the Round of 32.
South Africa’s Sports Minister, Gayton McKenzie, urged the public not to speculate over the circumstances surrounding Adams’ death while police complete their inquiries.
McKenzie also revealed that Adams had shown remarkable resilience during the tournament, playing against Czechia only hours after learning of his grandmother’s death.
Jayden Adams enjoyed a rapid rise through South African football before his untimely death | GETTY
Adams’ father, Juanito, said the family are now waiting for the results of a post-mortem examination.
“As you all know, it was an untimely death,” he told South African broadcaster eNCA.
“The family is struggling to process it.
“It won’t be easy to carry on. People say it will become easier, but it won’t. You just learn to live with it.”
Tributes have continued to pour in following confirmation of the midfielder’s death.
Moments of silence were observed before Saturday’s World Cup quarter-finals between England and Norway and Argentina and Switzerland.
Jayden Adams enjoyed a rapid rise through South African football before his untimely death | GETTY
The South African Football Players Union described Adams’ death as an “immeasurable loss” to the game.
“Jayden had only recently represented South Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, carrying the hopes of the nation with pride, courage and distinction,” the union said.
“His passing is an immeasurable loss to his family, team-mates, clubs, the football fraternity and country at large.
“South African football has lost a gifted player, a proud servant of the game and a young life that still had so much to offer.”
