World Cup Player Is Dead at 25

One of the soccer players on South Africa's World Cup team has died at age 25, just weeks after competing for his country. The nation's sports ministry announced the death of midfielder Jayden Adams but said the cause has not been determined, reports Reuters. Adams started South Africa's first Group A games against Mexico and Czech Republic in this year's tournament, with the second match coming only hours after he learned of the death of his grandmother, notes the AP. He left that game at halftime and came on as a substitute in the subsequent 1-0 victory over South Korea that sent South Africa into the knockout stage for the first time, where they lost to Canada.

"It is with profound shock and a heavy heart that I have learnt of the passing of Jayden Adams, midfielder for Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana," said Gayton McKenzie, South Africa's minister of sport, arts and culture, in a statement. Adams made his international debut in 2022, earning 13 caps and scoring twice in World Cup qualifying. A moment of silence was held for him ahead of the England-Norway game on Saturday.