Respected U.S. soccer journalist Grant Wahl collapses, dies at World Cup
Respected U.S. soccer journalist Grant Wahl, who notably protested Qatar’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws at the World Cup, died suddenly on Friday.
The soccer world suffered an immense loss in Qatar with the sudden passing of journalist Grant Wahl.
Wahl was in Qatar covering the World Cup. He had been tweeting about the Netherlands and Argentina battling in the quarterfinals.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Wahl “collapsed in the media tribune at Friday’s Argentina-Netherlands World Cup game. Paramedics treated Wahl for approximately 30 minutes before removing him from the stadium on a stretcher. He was later pronounced dead Saturday morning at a Qatari hospital.”
His cause of death is currently unknown.
Soccer journalist Grant Wahl died suddenly at the World Cup in Qatar
Wahl had complained of illness during media appearances on Thursday. On a podcast, he spoke about having “bronchitis” and needing to go to the medical tent on multiple occasions. However, he also said he was feeling better after scaling back his activities.
On a podcast posted yesterday, Grant does share he was under the weather pic.twitter.com/CbYAC1XYyC
— JACK SETTLEMAN (@jacksettleman) December 10, 2022
Wahl made headlines when he was barred from entering a stadium in Qatar while wearing a shirt supporting the LGBTQ+ community. He has also been an outspoken critic of the government’s handling of the treatment of migrant workers during the World Cup preparation process.
The last article he published while at the World Cup highlighted those failures.
NEW: World Cup Daily, Day 25. They just don't care. Qatari World Cup organizers don't even hide their apathy over migrant worker deaths, including the most recent one.https://t.co/WEKoMdSm3J
— Subscribe to GrantWahl.com (@GrantWahl) December 8, 2022
His brother, who is gay, released a heartwrenching video after news of Wahl’s death emerged. He said Wahl had received death threats, that he was healthy, and that the family is suspicious of foul play.
Absolutely bone chilling stuff
— JACK SETTLEMAN (@jacksettleman) December 10, 2022
Soccer journalist Grant Wahl who was kicked out of a stadium in QATAR for this shirt has reportedly collapsed and passed away during the Argentina game today
His brother says on Instagram that Grant was fully healthy & believes there’s foul play pic.twitter.com/t47C2XfuVl
The soccer community mourned Grant Wahl’s passing on Twitter
The U.S. soccer community was stunned, saddened and suspicious:
U.S. Soccer Statement On The Passing Of Grant Wahl: pic.twitter.com/CBp1mCK1mQ
— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) December 10, 2022
https://twitter.com/taylortwellman/status/1601379694162550785
My God. God. This is awful. Grant Wahl combined true goodness, passion for his job, love of his game, and love of life. My heart aches for his wife Celine and his family. This is a heartbreaking night. https://t.co/Rn9DsfgNoz
— Peter King (@peter_king) December 10, 2022
Grant Wahl was a legendary soccer writer and so much more. Don't forget he wrote THE story on Ohio high school junior LeBron James that landed him on the cover of SI in 2002 as "The Chosen One."https://t.co/5Ej9B6PWQ8
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 10, 2022
We love you, @GrantWahl
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) December 10, 2022
Generous of spirit, a peerless journalist, #grantwahl did more to inform and explain and celebrate the beautiful game than any other American. Ever. Full stop. His loss is incalculable to our profession. Prayers for his family.
— Bob Ley (@BobLeyESPN) December 10, 2022
Grant Wahl was kind. Needlessly kind. I love him and I’ll miss him.
— Chris Wittyngham (@ChrisWittyngham) December 10, 2022
He treated me with a level of respect I didn’t deserve. He gave me an opportunity when I needed one. And most importantly he was kind. Needlessly kind
I’ll miss him. I’m devastated beyond words
Grant Wahl wasn't just an insightful writer with a deep passion for soccer, but the rush of tweets you're seeing confirms that he was, more importantly, a good dude. May his memory be a blessing, and may his family find the peace and answers they deserve.
— Matt Brown (@MattBrownEP) December 10, 2022
Grant Wahl was a legend of the business (he introduced America to both soccer AND LeBron James). More importantly, he was a really kind, generous, good person. Thinking of everyone who knew and loved him.
— Stephanie Apstein (@stephapstein) December 10, 2022
You try really hard not to jump to conclusions, especially on social media, but it’s hard not to think Grant Wahl’s passing involved foul play. What terrible news.
— Randy Wilkins (@pamsson) December 10, 2022
RIP Grant Wahl. Absolutely awful.
— Jeremy Layton (@JeremyLayt0n) December 10, 2022
Someone is going to have to answer for this. Has the potential to be the biggest story in the history of sports. Praying that, if there was foul play, justice is served
Wahl was 48 years old. He contributed cornerstone content for U.S. sports journalism, including the famed “Chosen One” feature on a young LeBron James. He was the leading voice of U.S. soccer coverage. He will be missed.