Editors’ note: This story has been updated to reflect that Grant Wahl turned 49 on Dec. 2.
The sports world lost an iconic figure on Friday with the death of former Sports Illustrated writer Grant Wahl.
Wahl, 49, died Friday in Qatar while covering the 2022 World Cup. The renowned journalist was known for his soccer coverage and his impact on the growth of the sport in the United States. He joined SI in November 1996 and spent 24 years in the company.
Wahl was dedicated to perfecting his craft, specializing in international coverage of soccer. After Wahl left SI in 2020, he started his own substack, “Fútbol with Grant Wahl.”
In a joint statement, SI’s co-editors in chief, Ryan Hunt and Stephen Cannella, said: “We’re shocked and devastated at the news of Grant’s passing. We were proud to call him a colleague and friend for two decades—no writer in the history of SI has been more passionate about the sport he loved and the stories he wanted to tell. Our hearts go out to Céline and his family, as well as everyone who loved his work. He will always be part of the SI family.”
He also spent time working as an on-air personality with Fox Sports and wrote three books: The Beckham Experiment, Masters of Modern Soccer and Football 2.0.
When news of his death broke, those from around the soccer world and beyond shared their condolences.
