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

Adams, 25, played for Mamelodi Sundowns in the South African league, helping them to the African Champions League title in the 2025/26 season. 

He started the World Cup fixtures against Mexico and Czech Republic, and came off the bench in the 1-0 win over South Korea that earned Bafana Bafana a first ever place in the knockout rounds of the global finals, where they were knocked out by Canada. 

"This passing has ripped everybody apart, returning from the World Cup and then to get such news," Brendine Johnson, Adams' mentor, told Soccer Laduma. 

"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." 

Adams came through the youth development structures at Stellenbosch FC and joined Sundowns in January 2025.

He made his international debut against Mozambique in 2022 and won 13 caps, scoring two goals, both in qualifiers for the current World Cup.