South African football is in mourning following the sudden death of Jayden Adams, the talented midfielder for Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana, who passed away at the age of 25 while on a pre-season break.

Details surrounding the circumstances of Adams’ death are still under investigation, with no official cause released as of yet. The news has sent shockwaves through the local football community, coming just weeks after Adams helped South Africa achieve a historic run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Adams recently featured prominently for Bafana Bafana in the tournament in the United States, playing in all three group stage matches and contributing to the team’s milestone qualification for the knockout rounds for the first time in the nation’s history. He started in the opening games, including a resilient 1-1 draw against Czechia played just one day after the passing of his grandmother, Marianna Adams.

Despite carrying the heavy burden of personal grief, Adams displayed remarkable professionalism and helped propel Bafana forward before the team was narrowly eliminated in the Round of 32 by co-hosts Canada.

At club level, the Stellenbosch FC youth product had enjoyed a stellar season with Mamelodi Sundowns. He played a key role in their domestic campaign and contributed to securing the CAF Champions League title. Adams joined Sundowns in 2025 and quickly established himself as a skilful playmaker known for his vision, passing range, and goal threat.

Tributes have begun pouring in from across South African football. The South African Football Players Union (SAFPU) expressed devastation over the loss of the promising midfielder. Adams’ passing marks another tragic blow to the Stellenbosch football community, where he becomes the third youth academy graduate to die in recent years.

Further statements from Mamelodi Sundowns, SAFA, and the Adams family are expected in the coming days as the football fraternity rallies in support.

With just 16 days to go until the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, anticipation is building as about 3,000 athletes from 74 Commonwealth nations and territories prepare to compete in one of the world’s biggest multi-sport events.

Nations will battle for honours across 10 sports and 215 medal events during the Games, which will be held from 23 July to 2 August in Glasgow, Scotland.

The streamlined edition of the Games will be staged across four existing venues, reflecting a more sustainable and cost-effective model while retaining elite international competition.

With Nigeria set to star, among the participating teams are traditional Commonwealth sporting powerhouses such as Australia, England, India, Canada, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, Wales, Jamaica, Malaysia, Singapore, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Kenya, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The 2026 edition will also welcome Gabon and Togo, taking the total number of competing Commonwealth nations and territories to 74. Glasgow previously hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2014 and returns as host city 12 years later, with organisers aiming to deliver a compact Games that showcases world-class sport while making use of existing infrastructure.

As the countdown enters its final 16 days, athletes across the Commonwealth are putting the finishing touches to their preparations, with thousands set to converge on Glasgow in pursuit of Commonwealth glory.

• Folarin Balogun played against Belgium but with limited impact.

Belgium produced a commanding display to defeat the United States 4-1 and book a FIFA World Cup quarter-final meeting with Spain.

The last-16 encounter in Seattle was overshadowed by controversy surrounding USA striker Folarin Balogun’s eligibility after FIFA suspended his one-match ban before kick-off.

Balogan was permitted to play, despite receiving a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina, after U.S. President Donald Trump’s unprecedented intervention but he barely had an impact on the pitch.

Belgium ignored the off-field distractions and dominated the opening exchanges with aggressive pressing and swift attacking football.

Charles De Ketelaere gave Belgium the lead in the ninth minute with a simple tap-in, taking full advantage of a nervous start by the U.S. to quickly deflate the partisan crowd.

Malik Tillman’s deflected free kick levelled the game in the 31st minute, but De Ketelaere restored Belgium’s lead almost immediately with a back-post header.

The U.S. improved after the break until a calamitous error from goalkeeper Matt Freese allowed substitute Hans Vanaken to score in the 57th minute.Romelu Lukaku then added a fourth in added time to send U.S. fans streaming for the exits and Belgium into the quarter-finals. The goal was Lukaku’s 93rd for Belgium and his seventh in FIFA World Cup finals.

The ‌U.S. defeat ⁠means all three co-hosts are out of the tournament, after Canada and Mexico lost their last-16 games.

“In the moments that we were doing well (in the tournament), we felt amazing,” U.S. midfielder Tyler Adams said.

“And then obviously, an opportunity like today, we didn’t grasp it – and it’s gonna sting.”

USA manager Mauricio Pochettino admitted his side never recovered after conceding immediately following their equaliser.

“From the beginning, we didn’t connect with the game. Even when we scored the goal, we conceded in the next action,” Pochettino said.