South Africa World Cup midfielder Adams dies aged 25

Jayden Adams, a South Africa and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder, died at the age of 25 just weeks after featuring for his country at the World Cup. Police in South Africa opened an investigation after the body of a 25-year-old man was found at a house in Schotschekloof, a suburb in central Cape Town, on Saturday morning. South Africa's minister of sport, arts and culture, Gayton McKenzie, stated, "It is with profound shock and a heavy heart that I have learnt of the passing of Jayden Adams."

Adams featured in all three of South Africa's group games at the tournament, where they reached the knockout stages before losing to co-hosts Canada in the round of 32. McKenzie added that the cause of Jayden's passing has not yet been confirmed. Adams started in the 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic in Group A despite learning that his grandmother had passed away only hours before kick-off. The South African Football Players Union stated it was "devastated by the untimely passing" of Adams, who made his debut for his country in 2022.