In this file photo, sportswriter Grant Wahl speaks during a panel discussion in New York in 2014. He died Friday in Qatar while covering the Argentina-Netherlands World Cup quarterfinals.
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In this file photo, sportswriter Grant Wahl speaks during a panel discussion in New York in 2014. He died Friday in Qatar while covering the Argentina-Netherlands World Cup quarterfinals.
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
Veteran soccer sportswriter Grant Wahl died on Friday while covering the Argentina-Netherlands quarterfinals at the 2022 World Cup in Doha, Qatar.
As the game was drawing to a close, NPR correspondent Tom Goldman witnessed a commotion in the Lusail Stadium press box. Reporters scattered as Wahl collapsed. Paramedics responded to the seating area where he was and performed CPR on him. After many minutes, he was taken away on a stretcher while he used an automated chest compressor to continue CPR.
wahl’s wife and his brother confirmed his death to NPR. He was 48 years old.
Grant Wahl often appeared on NPR discussing the intricacies of soccer and his love for the game.
As NPR previously reported, Wahl was barred from entering a World Cup stadium in Qatar in November because he was wearing a rainbow jersey.
Right now: The security guard refuses to let me into the USA-Wales stadium. “You have to change your shirt. It’s not allowed.” pic.twitter.com/TvSGThMYq8
— Subscribe to GrantWahl.com (@GrantWahl) November 21, 2022
Wahl said he was turned away by a stadium security guard: “You have to change your jersey. It’s not allowed.” Wahl said he was briefly detained. Qatar has been a controversial host since winning the tournament in 2010.
His human rights record has been heavily criticized. And, since the tournament began last month, the Persian Gulf country’s rules banning same-sex relationships have been front and center. It is illegal in Qatar and punishable by jail time. When several European team captains said they would wear special rainbow armbands, FIFA clamped down, threatening players with yellow cards.
Wahl had criticized FIFA and Qatar during the tournament. In an interview with NPR, Eric Wahl said his brother did not shy away from highlighting the World Cup controversy. “He was very critical of FIFA, which is not new to him and very critical of the way the Qataris handled the games.”
Eric Wahl said his brother had received death threats while in Qatar because of the rainbow jersey and his continued reporting on FIFA and the Qatari government.
US Soccer noted Wahl’s death in a tweet, saying the organization was heartbroken. “Grant’s passion for soccer and commitment to raising its profile in our sporting landscape played a significant role in helping to drive interest in and respect for our beautiful game.”
Wahl was a longtime sportswriter at Sports Illustrated, traveling the world covering soccer events such as the World Cup, Women’s World Cup, and numerous European tournaments. He and the magazine parted ways in 2020 and he expanded on his own. He also appeared regularly on Fox Sports and CBS Sports as a commentator.
Wahl fell ill while on a mission in Qatar. On Monday he had written that she had visited a medical clinic and the staff believed he had bronchitis.
“My body finally collapsed on me,” Wahl wrote. “Three weeks of little sleep, high stress and hard work can do that… What had been a cold for the last 10 days turned into something more severe on the night of the USA-Netherlands game, and I could feel my upper chest takes on a new level of pressure and discomfort.” He said that he had been taking antibiotics and they seemed to be helping.
Eric Wahl said that his brother was one of the most honest people he had ever met. “He was especially concerned about people whose rights were being violated… and he just wanted to share his love of football with others.”
