World Cup 2026 Soccer Police investigating ‘untimely’ death of South Africa World Cup player Jayden Adams By Jake Nisse Published July 13, 2026, 10:53 a.m. ET See more of our coverage in your search results.
Add The New York Post on Google The sudden death of South African World Cup player Jayden Adams is being probed by police in his native country.
Adams, 25, appeared in his country’s three group stage matches last month before his death was announced by the South African Football Players Union (SAFPU) on Saturday.
And with a cause of death currently unknown, police in Cape Town have confirmed that they’re investigating Adams’ passing.
“Cape Town central police registered an inquest for investigation following the discovery of the body of a 25-year-old male on Saturday,” police told the AP.
“Circumstances surrounding this incident are under investigation.”
His father, Juanito Adams, has said that the family is still waiting to make funeral plans.
“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 played in the tournament with a heavy heart, as his grandmother died one day before South Africa’s 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic.
Later, after his team beat South Korea to advance to the Round of 32, Adams could be seen quietly sitting in the corner while his teammates jubilantly celebrated the win.
His body was found inside a house in Schotsche Kloof at 11:06 a.m. local time on Saturday, Western Cape South African Police Service spokesperson F.C. van Wyk told ESPN.
Adams reportedly shared a five-year-old daughter with his partner, Aqueelah Adendorf.
“Watching you achieve something this big has filled my heart with so much pride,” Adendorf wrote on Instagram weeks before the tournament.
“From the hard work, sacrifices, early mornings, disappointments, and moments nobody saw — you kept going, stayed disciplined, and trusted God through it all. And now look at you… representing your country on the national team.
“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,” they said. “May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
Adams did not play in South Africa’s final game, a 1-0 loss to Canada in the Round of 32.
