The soccer community is remembering Jayden Adams, a midfielder for Team South Africa, who died shortly after his last appearance in the World Cup, the country’s sports ministry ⁠announced on July 11. Adams, 25, last played in the FIFA tournament on June 24 in a match against South Korea. T he circumstances surrounding his death are currently under investigation, a Western Cape police spokesperson told the Agence France-Presse. The news has come as a shock to those in the soccer world, who have been sending their thoughts to Adams’ family. “South African football has lost one of its brightest young talents, and 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,” Gayton McKenzie, South Africa’s sports minister, said in a statement. The South African Football Players Union described Adams’ death in a statement as an “immeasurable loss to his family, teammates, clubs, the football fraternity and country at large.” “Jayden had only recently represented South Africa at the 2026 World Cup, carrying the hopes of the nation with pride, courage, and distinction,” the statement said of the player before referencing a number of teams for which he had played. “We extend our deepest condolences to the Adams family, Mamelodi Sundowns, Stellenbosch FC, Bafana Bafana and all those whose lives he touched.” In a post on social media, the union added that “Death has cruelly stolen one of our own.” “It has robbed our nation of a remarkable footballer, but it will never take away the legacy Jayden Adams leaves behind,” the union said in the post. Adams, the father of a young daughter Allaia-Jayda, appeared in three 2026 World Cup matches. While he started in the matches against Mexico and the Czech Republic, he came off the bench in the country’s 1-0 win over South Korea. The win marked the first time that South Africa advanced to the knockout rounds. The country was eliminated from the tournament on June 28 following a 0-1 loss to Canada. Adams was also a member of the South African professional soccer team the Mamelodi Sundowns F.C. In a statement following Adams’ death, the Mamelodi Sundowns called the player a “highly talented” midfielder. “We pray that the Almighty God comforts and strengthens the Adams family, his friends and everyone that knew him,” the statement said. “Sundowns respectfully ask that the family’s privacy be honoured as they grieve this profound loss.” Many others also paid tribute to the rising soccer star. The Confederation of African Football, the governing body for association soccer and several other sports in Africa, posted on social media that “football has lost one of its own.” FIFA President Gianni Infantino also honored the player with a statement shared on social media. “It’s so incredibly sad to hear that South Africa midfielder Jayden Adams has passed away just weeks after featuring in his nation’s historic World Cup campaign,” Infantino said in the statement. “My 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.” This story first appeared on TODAY.com. More from TODAY: How a Duck Named Merlin Became the Face of Team Mexico During the World Cup Sheinelle Jones Loses It While Doing Pilates with Cats. See Jenna’s Reaction Service Dog Gets Her Own Diploma at Commencement and It’s Pawsitively Adorable This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser. ...read more read less