South African football in shock as 2026 World Cup star passes away

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/adams-jayden/vPHtKJeg/"]Adams[/a], 25, played for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/mamelodi-sundowns/lxZ6Bzh6/"]Mamelodi Sundowns[/a] in the South African league, helping them to the African Champions League title in the 2025/26 season. [/p][p]No cause of death has yet been confirmed. [/p][p]He started the World Cup fixtures against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/mexico/O6iHcNkd/"]Mexico[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/czech-republic/6LHwBDGU/"]Czech Republic[/a], and came off the bench in the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/south-africa-W2ijYvlr/south-korea-K6Gs7P6G/?mid=4rr4ngNc"]1-0[/a] win over [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/south-korea/K6Gs7P6G/"]South Korea[/a] that earned Bafana Bafana a first ever place in the knockout rounds of the global finals, where they were knocked out by [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/canada/x4toKORL/"]Canada[/a]. [/p][p][b]"This passing has ripped everybody apart, returning from the World Cup and then to get such news," [/b]Brendine Johnson, Adams' mentor, told [i]Soccer Laduma[/i]. [/p][p][b]"I had a close conversation with him on Thursday. The guy was really positive on returning back, and being able to return after the World Cup, knowing what lies ahead. He was prepared." [/b][/p][embed guid="8a6b1184-e86d-4eff-b3b8-1ad8e6f842b4" url="https://x.com/CAF_Online/status/2075939196712165795?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p] South Africa's minister of sport Gayton McKenzie also expressed his condolences.[/p][p][b]"Our nation mourns alongside his family, his teammates and the millions of supporters who watched him grow from a promising academy prospect into a full Bafana Bafana international," [/b]McKenzie said in a statement.[/p][p]FIFA president Gianni Infantino offered his condolences via Instagram, saying his [b]"thoughts and condolences, as well as those of everyone at FIFA and the global football community, are with his family, friends and teammates". [/b][/p][p]Adams came through the youth development structures at [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/stellenbosch-fc/fJsWcA5b/"]Stellenbosch FC[/a] and joined Sundowns in January 2025.[/p][p]He made his international debut against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/mozambique/2aBNiivt/"]Mozambique[/a] in 2022 and won 13 caps, scoring two goals, both in qualifiers for the current World Cup.[/p]