Popular American sports journalist Grant Wahl died on Friday after suffering “acute distress” while covering a match at the World Cup in Qatar, his agent said.
US Soccer has stated that it was “heartbroken to learn” of Wahl's death and the 48-year-old’s wife, Celine Gounder, has described herself as “in complete shock”.
Wahl, a former Sports Illustrated sportswriter who moved to the Substack online publishing platform, had been tweeting about the Netherlands’ quarter-final with Argentina on Friday night.
His agent, Tim Scanlan, told Reuters that Wahl had “appeared to suffer some kind of acute distress in the start of extra time” at the Lusail Stadium.
Scanlan said attempts were made to revive Wahl in the press box before he was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
“We are in touch with the U.S. Embassy and relevant local authorities to ensure the process of repatriating the body is in accordance with the family’s wishes,” the SC spokesperson said.
Qatar’s World Cup organisers, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC), paid tribute to Wahl’s “enormous love of football” and offered condolences to his family, friends and media colleagues. FIFA stated its “disbelief and immense sadness” at his death.
“Everyone's emotional and it's really traumatic,” Scanlan said. “He was a true advocate for both the men's and women's games and really just cared deeply about the sport. He was empathetic and just truly a brilliant writer.”
Wahl said in late November he was briefly detained when he tried to enter a World Cup stadium in Qatar while wearing a rainbow shirt in support of the LGBTQ+ community in a country where same-sex relations are illegal.
I am so thankful for the support of my husband @GrantWahl's soccer family & of so many friends who've reached out tonight.
— Céline Gounder, MD, ScM, FIDSA 🇺🇦 (@celinegounder) December 10, 2022
I'm in complete shock. https://t.co/OB3IzOxGlE
We are heartbroken that former Sports Illustrated senior writer Grant Wahl died while covering the World Cup in Qatar.
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) December 10, 2022
Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this tragic time. https://t.co/B9dhFPSPZq pic.twitter.com/2ydpmtguRF
He said World Cup security denied him entry to the United States' opener against Wales at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan and asked him to take his shirt off. Wahl wrote on Monday that he had visited a hospital while in Qatar.
“I didn't have Covid (I test regularly here), but I went into the medical clinic at the main media center today, and they said I probably have bronchitis,” he posted on Substack.
US State Department spokesman Ned Price said on Twitter the department had been in close communication with Wahl's family.
“We are engaged with senior Qatari officials to see to it that his family’s wishes are fulfilled as expeditiously as possible,” said Price.
FIFA President expresses condolences to family and friends of Grant Wahl. pic.twitter.com/WoEN5hUMve
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) December 10, 2022
Godspeed my friend @GrantWahl
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) December 10, 2022
If I get asked what journalism is, I'll say your name
Your loyalty, sense of humour, affection, your dress code! will never be forgotten
You have been taken from us far too early. There was still so much to write, live and discuss 😥 pic.twitter.com/0WaclxRF4a
The world footballing community shared in an immediate outpouring of grief over the news.
“He was a kind and caring person whose passion for soccer and dedication to journalism were immeasurable,” Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber said in reaction to news of Wahl's death.
“This is so devastating,” World Cup winner Megan Rapinoe said on Twitter. “All the love to his family and loved ones.”
