Police launch investigation into death of South Africa footballer Jayden Adams

South African football has been plunged into mourning following the death of World Cup star Jayden Adams, with police confirming that an investigation has been opened after his body was discovered in Cape Town over the weekend.

The 25-year-old midfielder died just two weeks after playing a key role in helping South Africa reach the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup for the first time in the country’s history.

South African police confirmed on Monday that they had registered an inquest into Adams’ death, although the cause of death remains unknown.

“Cape Town central police registered an inquest for investigation following the discovery of the body of a 25-year-old male on Saturday,” police said in a statement. “Circumstances surrounding this incident are under investigation.”

According to authorities, Adams’ body was found at a property in the Schotsche Kloof area of Cape Town at around 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. No further details have been released as investigations continue.

The player’s father, Juanito Adams, revealed that the family is awaiting the outcome of an autopsy before making funeral arrangements.

“As you all know, it was an untimely death. The family is struggling to process it,” he told South African television 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 was part of the South African squad that made history at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, featuring in all three group-stage matches as Bafana Bafana advanced to the knockout rounds for the first time.

The midfielder did not play in South Africa’s round-of-32 encounter against Canada, which ended in a 1-0 defeat on June 28.

South Africa’s Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie paid tribute to Adams, revealing that the player had represented his country in the group stage shortly after learning of the death of his grandmother.

McKenzie urged the public and media to respect the family’s privacy and avoid speculation while investigations are ongoing.

“I ask everyone to exercise restraint and compassion during this difficult time,” he said.

Tributes for Adams were also observed at the World Cup, with moments of silence held before the quarterfinal matches between England and Norway as well as Argentina and Switzerland.

The football world continues to honour the memory of Adams, whose promising career was cut short just days after helping South Africa achieve a historic milestone on the global stage.