Police open investigation into death of South Africa World Cup player Jayden Adams

Police said on Monday they have started investigating the death of South Africa World Cup football player Jayden Adams, after his body was found at a property in the city of Cape Town this weekend.

The 25-year-old Adams, who played in the three FIFA World Cup 2026 matches, died at age 25, two weeks after helping South Africa reach the knockout stage.

No official cause of death was released by the authorities.

"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 sent to The Associated Press.

"Circumstances surrounding this incident are under investigation."

Police said the body was found at a property in the Cape Town neighbourhood of Schotsche Kloof at around 11 a.m. on Saturday, but provided no further details.

Speaking to South African TV news station eNCA on Sunday, Adams' father, Juanito Adams, said that the family were awaiting the results of an autopsy and had not yet made any funeral plans.

"As you all know, it was an untimely death. The family is struggling to process it," Juanito Adams 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."

Jayden Adams was in South Africa’s starting XI for two of the three World Cup matches he appeared in despite the death of his grandmother, Marianna, one day before a 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic. He started in that match and was also in the lineup for South Africa's 2-0 loss to Mexico. He was a sub in a 1-0 win over South Korea.

He was an unused substitute when South Africa was knocked out by Canada on June 28.

Before the World Cup, he helped Mamelodi Sundowns secure the CAF Champions League title. He joined Sundowns after his stint with Stellenbosch FC. Following Sundowns’ success, Adams dedicated his medal to late Stellenbosch teammate Oshwin Andries, who died after being stabbed in 2023.