Police in Cape Town are investigating the "untimely" death of South African World Cup player Jayden Adams, who was 25 years old. The South African Football Players Union (SAFPU) announced Adams' passing on Saturday, and a cause of death has not yet been determined.
Cape Town central police confirmed they registered an inquest for investigation after the discovery of the 25-year-old's body on Saturday. "Circumstances surrounding this incident are under investigation," police told the Associated Press.
Adams' father, Juanito Adams, stated that the family is still awaiting funeral arrangements. "As you all know, it was an untimely death. The family is struggling to process it," Juanito told South African TV news station eNCA. "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."
Adams participated in all three of South Africa's group stage matches during the recent World Cup. He played with personal grief during the tournament, as his grandmother died one day before South Africa's 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic. Following the team's victory over South Korea to advance to the Round of 32, Adams was observed sitting alone in a corner while his teammates celebrated.
According to Western Cape South African Police Service spokesperson F.C. van Wyk, Adams' body was found inside a house in Schotsche Kloof at 11:06 a.m. local time on Saturday. Adams was reportedly the father of a five-year-old daughter with his partner, Aqueelah Adendorf.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino described Adams' death as "incredibly sad." The SAFPU also issued a statement mourning the player, saying, "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. May his soul rest in eternal peace."
Adams did not participate in South Africa's final match, a 1-0 loss to Canada in the Round of 32.