Tue, July 14, 2026 at 3:02 PM UTC
Police are investigating the death of South Africa World Cup player Jayden Adams, authorities announced on Monday, July 13, two days after his body was discovered at a property in Cape Town.
“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 to the Associated Press. “Circumstances surrounding this incident are under investigation.”
Adams was found dead on Saturday, July 11, at around 11 a.m. local time in the Cape Town neighborhood of Schotsche Kloof. A cause of death has not been revealed.
His death came just days after South Africa finished its run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, losing to Canada in the knockout stage on June 28. Adams played in all three of the team’s group stage games but did not appear in the match against Canada.
Celebrity Deaths of 2026: Jurassic Park’s Sam Neill and More Stars We’ve Lost
FIFA held moments of silence in Adams’ honor before both World Cup quarterfinal games on Saturday.
“Jayden had only recently represented South Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, carrying the hopes of the nation with pride, courage and distinction,” the South African Football Players Union wrote in a statement sharedates, clubs, the football fraternity and the country at large.”
The statement continued, “South Africa 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 is survived by his longtime partner,Aqueelah Adendorf, and their 5-year-old daughter.
Dutch Soccer Referee Rob Dieperink Dead at 38 After Being Dropped From World Cup
“There are no words to describe the pain I’m feeling,” Adendorf wroten peace, my love. Thank you for every memory, every laugh, every hug, and every moment we shared. You were not only the love of my life but also my greatest supporter and my best friend.”
She continued, “A part of my heart left with you, and I will carry your love with me forever. Until we meet again, I’ll miss you every single day. Rest easy, my angle. I love you always and forever.”
Adams’ father, Juanito Adams, told South African TV news station eNCA that the family is awaiting results of an autopsy and has not yet made funeral arrangements.
“As you all know, it was an untimely death. The family is struggling to process it,” he said. “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.”
