South African police have opened an inquest into the sudden death of 25-year-old World Cup star Jayden Adams, who was found deceased on Saturday morning in Cape Town. The circumstances surrounding his passing are currently under investigation, and officials have not confirmed the cause of death.
Adams' father, Juanito, refused to comment on speculation that his son died by suicide when questioned by reporters. He stated that the family is struggling to process the loss, describing it as an "untimely death." Juanito Adams expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from the football community and confirmed that Tlhopie Motsepe, chairperson of Adams' club Mamelodi Sundowns, had visited the family.
The South African Minister of Sport, Gayton McKenzie, urged the media and public to "exercise restraint and compassion, and to refrain from speculation" during this sensitive time. FIFA president Gianni Infantino issued a tribute, calling Adams' death "incredibly sad" and extending condolences to his family, friends, and teammates.
Adams was a key player for South Africa, featuring twice in the recent World Cup campaign where the team reached the knock-out stages for the first time, eventually losing to Canada in the last-32. He had previously won the South African Premiership in 2025 and the CAF Champions League in 2026 with Mamelodi Sundowns.
In the period leading up to the World Cup, Adams was mourning the death of his grandmother, Marianna Adams, who passed away two weeks before the tournament began. He was also still grieving the loss of his close friend, South African youth footballer Oshwin Andries, who died in February 2023.
Just hours before news of his death broke, Adams had reposted a photo of himself and his girlfriend, Aqueelah Adendorf, on Instagram. Adendorf shared a message of thanks for the condolences received, noting their significance to her and her five-year-old daughter, Allaia. A previous post from Adendorf, made before the World Cup, expressed immense pride in Adams' achievements, highlighting his hard work and dedication.
The South African Football Players Union (SAFPU) expressed deep devastation over Adams' passing, describing him as a "gifted player" and an "immeasurable loss" to the nation. The union emphasized his humble nature, extraordinary talent, and the pride with which he represented South Africa, vowing to remember his legacy.