{"id":327465,"date":"2026-07-11T23:43:08","date_gmt":"2026-07-11T23:43:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/327465\/"},"modified":"2026-07-11T23:43:08","modified_gmt":"2026-07-11T23:43:08","slug":"tributes-pour-in-for-south-africas-jayden-adams-who-died-at-25","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/327465\/","title":{"rendered":"Tributes pour in for South Africa’s Jayden Adams, who died at 25"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tributes poured in from the World Cup community for Jayden Adams, a midfielder who furthered South Africa\u2019s historic tournament run, following the announcement of his shocking death<\/a> at the age of 25 on July 11.<\/p>\n

Members of the England and Norway teams participated in a moment of silence prior to their elimination match later in the day in Miami.<\/p>\n

MORE: South Africa midfielder Jayden Adams dies at 25, weeks after starting in 2026 World Cup<\/a><\/p>\n

Gayton McKenzie, South Africa\u2019s minister of sport, arts and culture, confirmed Adams\u2019 death on social media. The cause of death has\u00a0not officially been released<\/a>.<\/p>\n

South Africa\u2019s victory over South Korea in June elevated them to the knockout phase of the World Cup for the first time in the country\u2019s history. Adams, one of five midfielders<\/a> on the country\u2019s World Cup roster, played in the second half of that game. <\/p>\n

MORE: FIFA sky cam wire gets controversial assist on England\u2019s goal vs. Norway<\/a><\/p>\n

South Africa was eliminated by Canada in the Round of 32.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s so incredibly sad to hear that South Africa midfielder Jayden Adams has passed away just weeks after featuring in his nation\u2019s historic FIFA World Cup campaign,\u201d FIFA president Gianni Infantino said<\/a>. \u201cMy thoughts and condolences, as well as those of everyone at FIFA and the global football community, are with his family, friends and teammates. The Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns star will be sorely missed. May he rest in peace.\u201d<\/p>\n

MORE:\u00a0Cristiano Ronaldo receives heartfelt message from fianc\u00e9e after World Cup exit<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cDeath has cruelly stolen one of our own. It has robbed our nation of a remarkable footballer,\u201d the South African Football Players Union\u00a0posted on X<\/a>. \u201cWe will forever remember his humility, his extraordinary talent and the pride with which he represented South Africa. Rest in eternal peace, Jayden. You will never be forgotten.\u201d<\/p>\n

FIFPRO Africa united in grief with @SAFPU_Official<\/a> and South Africa<\/p>\n

We are profoundly devastated by the cruel passing of Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder, Jayden Adams.<\/p>\n

As the African football family, we stand in complete solidarity with his loved ones, teammates,\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/PFi2jzmUpY<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 FIFPRO AFRICA (@FIFProAfrica) July 11, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

According to McKenzie, Adams recently learned of the death of his grandmother, Marianna, and competed in the tournament despite being profoundly<\/a> affected<\/a> by her passing.<\/p>\n

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“I will always remember watching Bafana\u2019s match against Czechia in Atlanta. I recall noting how unusually quiet Jayden seemed on the bench in the second half, after he had been substituted \u2013 it was only afterwards\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/Yc72ayPeg8<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 iDiski Times (@iDiskiTimes) July 11, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cA touching moment before kickoff. Sending love to Jayden Adams\u2019 family and loved ones,\u201d comedian and South African Trevor Noah wrote on X.<\/p>\n

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