RIP Grant Wahl! American soccer journalist died in Qatar while covering the 2022 World Cup
- Grant Wahl passed away after he collapsed at Lusail Iconic Stadium during the match between Argentina and the Netherlands.
- He was 48.
- He had been covering his 8th World Cup match in Qatar
- An American soccer journalist had complained of feeling unwell earlier in the last week
Grant Wahl’s tragic death during the World Cup match between Argentina and the Netherlands
Grant Wahl is no longer alive with us. He had been covering the 2022 World Cup matches. This is the eighth World Cup that Grant Wahl has been reporting.
An American soccer journalist took his last breath in Qatar on Friday’s match between Argentina and the Netherlands. He was just 48. Wahl reportedly fell over backward in his seat in the press box at Lusail Iconic Stadium during extra time.
According to Keir Radnedge, a columnist at World Soccer Magazine, he was then quickly transferred to Hamad General Hospital after 20-25 minutes. He told CNN,
“his was towards the end of extra time in the match. Suddenly, colleagues up to my left started shouting for medical assistance. Obviously, someone had collapsed,”
“Because the chairs are freestanding, people were able to move the chairs, so it’s possible to create a little bit of space around him.”
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He also acknowledged that the medical team was there “pretty quickly and were able to, as best they could give treatment.” Unfortunately, they were later told that Wahl had died.
The World Cup organizer also published a statement that reads,
“He received immediate emergency medical treatment on site, which continued as he was transferred by ambulance to Hamad General Hospital. We are in touch with the US Embassy and relevant local authorities to ensure the process of repatriating the body is in accordance with the family’s wishes.“
However, the cause of his death is yet to be confirmed.
Grant Wahl had been suffering from serious illness before his death
The 48-year-old journalist had complained of feeling unwell earlier in the last week. He wrote on his website that he had visited a medical clinic in Qatar after he had been ill for more than 10 days.
Grant wrote,
“My body finally broke down on me. Three weeks of little sleep, high stress and lots of work can do that to you,”
“What had been a cold over the last 10 days turned into something more severe on the night of the USA-Netherlands game, and I could feel my upper chest take on a new level of pressure and discomfort.”
Afterward, he made an appearance on his podcast called Futbol with Grant Wahl, where he revealed he had suffered a case of bronchitis and revisited the medical clinic. He said in the podcast clip,
“So I’ve had a case of bronchitis this week. I’ve been to the medical clinic at the media center twice now including today. I’m feeling better today,”
“I’m feeling better today. And I’m doing slightly better, though you can probably tell in my voice that I’m not at 100 percent here. Hopefully I will not cough during this podcast.”
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Sports world paid tribute to the late Prominent journalist Grant Wahl
Grant Wahl’s death sparked an outpouring of shock and grief across the sports world and journalism community. Many took to social media platforms to pay tribute to the late Grant Wahl.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement,
“Only some days ago, Grant was recognized by FIFA and AIPS (the International Sports Press Association) for his contribution to reporting on eight consecutive FIFA World Cups,”
U.S. Soccer took to Twitter and said in a statement,
“The entire U.S. Soccer family is heartbroken to learn that we have lost Grant Wahl. Fans of soccer and journalism of the highest quality knew we could always count on Grant to deliver insightful and entertaining stories about our game,”
“And its major protagonists: teams, players, coaches and the many personalities that make soccer unlike any sport.”
Further, Co-editors in chief Ryan Hunt and Stephen Cannella said in a joint statement,
“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 Celine and his family, as well as everyone who loved his work. He will always be part of the SI family.”
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