Police in South Africa have opened an investigation into the death of Jayden Adams after the World Cup World Cup 2026

The National Football Association confirmed Adams’ death on Saturday, but the cause has not been released.

Police in Cape Town in South Africa have opened an investigation into the death of football player Jayden Adams, whose body was found shortly after returning from North America where he was playing in the FIFA World Cup.

A 25-year-old midfielder for the South African national team, Adams was he was found dead at home in Schotsche Kloof near Cape Town. The South African Football Players Union confirmed his death on Saturday.

The cause of death was not disclosed.

Adams started two of South Africa’s three World Cup appearances, despite the death of his grandmother, Marianna, a day before the event. 1-1 draw and the Czech Republic. He started in the game, and the game itself South Africa lost 2-0 in Mexico. He came on as a substitute in the 1-0 win over South Korea.

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

“The family is struggling to fix this. It will not be easy to continue,” said Juanito Adams, the player’s father, on Sunday, according to the South African news eNCA.

“People say it will be easy, but it won’t be difficult, you just learn to live with it, then we will see what the future holds.

“The whole world is affected by the death of Jayden. Like I said, it’s very difficult. We can see the love that the world had for his football and Jayden.”

A moment of silence was held for Adams during the quarter-final match between England and Norway on Saturday.

“I will have a humble, grateful response that he gave me,” South Africa’s minister of sports, arts and culture, Gayton McKenzie, said in a statement, referring to Adams’ decision to play after his grandfather’s death.

“That he chose to wear the national jersey and give his best for his country at this time, shows the depth of his character and his professionalism beyond his years, and shows what a young South African has lost.”