Why was there a minute’s silence before the kick-off of the 2026 FIFA World Cup match between Norway and England?

Norway and England will face each other in Miami on Saturday in the third quarter-final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Before kick-off, players from both teams stood shoulder to shoulder around the center circle and observed a minute’s silence.

The gesture was to pay respects to South African footballer Jayden Adams who took his own life just days after playing in the quadrennial tournament.

The midfielder is said to have suffered from depression during the competition after the death of his grandmother. He was part of the team that qualified for the knockouts for the first time in the country’s history.

Published on July 12, 2026