In this file photo, sports journalist Grant Wahl speaks during a panel discussion in New York in 2014. He died Friday in Qatar while covering the Argentina-Netherlands World Cup quarter-final.
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In this file photo, sports journalist Grant Wahl speaks during a panel discussion in New York in 2014. He died Friday in Qatar while covering the Argentina-Netherlands World Cup quarter-final.
Image of Michael Loccisano/Getty
Longtime football sports writer Grant Wahl died Friday while covering the quarter-final match between Argentina and the Netherlands at the 2022 World Cup in Doha, Qatar.
As the game drew to a close, NPR reporter Tom Goldman witnessed an uproar in the press court at Lusail Stadium. Reporters scattered as Wahl collapsed. The medical staff went to the seating area where he was and performed CPR. After several minutes, they put him on a stretcher and used an automatic chest compression machine to continue CPR.
wahl’s wife and his brother both confirmed his death to NPR. He’s 48.
Grant Wahl appears often on NPR discuss complexities of football and his love of the game.
Like NPR previous reportWahl was banned from a World Cup stadium in Qatar in November because he was wearing a rainbow t-shirt.
Just now: Security refused to let me into the US-Wales stadium. “You have to change your shirt. It’s not allowed.” pic.twitter.com/TvSGThMYq8
– Sign up for GrantWahl.com (@GrantWahl) November 21, 2022
Wahl said a stadium security guard denied him, “You have to change your shirt. That’s not allowed.” Wahl said he was briefly detained. Qatar has been a controversial host since being awarded the tournament in 2010.
Its human rights record has been heavily criticized. And, since the tournament began last month, the Persian Gulf nation’s rules banning same-sex relationships have been dropped. front and center. It is illegal in Qatar and punishable by imprisonment. When a number captain europe said they would wear special rainbow armbands, FIFA squeezed and threatened the players with yellow cards.
Wahl criticized FIFA and Qatar during the tournament. In an interview with NPR, Eric Wahl said his brother was not afraid to highlight the controversy at the World Cup “He is very critical of FIFA – which is not new to him and very critical of the way the Qataris run the matches.”
Eric Wahl said his brother received death threats while in Qatar because of the rainbow shirt and his constant reporting to FIFA and the Qatari government.
US Soccer records Wahl’s death in a tweet, said that the organization is heartbroken. “Grant’s passion for football and its commitment to enhancing its reputation throughout our sport have played a key role in helping to garner interest and respect for our beautiful game. I.”
Wahl is a longtime Sports Illustrated sports writer – traveling the world covering football events such as the World Cup, Women’s World Cup and many European tournaments. He and the magazine split up in 2020 and he branched out on his own. He also regularly appears on Fox Sports and CBS Sports as a commentator.
Wahl fell ill while on duty in Qatar. in Monday he wrote he went to a medical clinic and the staff believed he had bronchitis.
Wahl wrote: “My body finally collapsed. “Three weeks of poor sleep, high stress and a lot of work can do it for you… The colds of the past 10 days have become more severe the night of the US-Netherlands game, and I can’t. I felt my upper chest take on a new level of pressure and discomfort.”
Eric Wahl said his brother is one of the most sincere people he has ever known. “He’s especially concerned about those who have their rights violated… and he just wants to share his love of football with others.”
