U.S. journalist Grant Wahl collapsed and died Friday in Qatar while covering the World Cup quarterfinal match between Argentina and th...
U.S. journalist Grant Wahl collapsed and died Friday in Qatar while covering the World Cup quarterfinal match between Argentina and the Netherlands.
CBS News reported that Wahl “suffered a heart attack” while in the press box of Lusail Stadium in Doha.
Wahl generated international headlines during the World Cup in November after he wore LGBT gear in support of members of that community who live in fear of criminal prosecution in Qatar. Wahl was detained for wearing the shirt and was told to change his shirt because it was not allowed. He was released after roughly half an hour.
On Monday, Wahl wrote on his website that he went to a medical facility to receive treatment because he was not feeling well.
“My body finally broke down on me. Three weeks of little sleep, high stress and lots of work can do that to you,” Wahl wrote. “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.
“I didn’t have Covid (I test regularly here), but I went into the medical clinic at the main media center today, and they said I probably have bronchitis,” he added. “They gave me a course of antibiotics and some heavy-duty cough syrup, and I’m already feeling a bit better just a few hours later. But still: No bueno.”
Wahl said on a podcast Thursday that he again was not feeling well and went back to the clinic for treatment.
“I basically canceled everything on this Thursday that I had, and napped and I’m doing slightly better that you can probably tell in my voice that I’m not at it at 100 percent here,” he said. “Hopefully I will not cough during this podcast. I’m coughing a lot. Everyone’s coughing here in like this is by no means limited to me like so many journalists have got a crazy cough. It sounds like a death rattle sometimes.
“The only thing that’s surprising to me actually is there isn’t that much COVID here. I thought there might be a real issue with that,” he continued. “We’re not really seeing COVID cases. We’re just seeing a lot of general sickness, coughing, colds, and I can’t wait to be on the other side of what I have. But I am going to be ready to go. I’m attending on Friday.”
Wahl’s wife released a statement upon learning of her husbands death, saying that she was “in complete shock.”
“I am so thankful for the support of my husband @GrantWahl ‘s soccer family & of so many friends who’ve reached out tonight,” she said.
“The entire U.S. Soccer family is heartbroken to learn that we have lost Grant Wahl,” U.S. Soccer said in a statement. “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.”
“Here in the United States, Grant’s passion for soccer and commitment to elevating its profile across our sporting landscape played a major role in helping to drive interest in and respect for our beautiful game,” the statement continued. “As important, Grant’s belief in the power of the game to advance human rights was, and will remain, an inspiration to all.”
“Grant made soccer his life’s work, and we are devastated that he and his brilliant writing will no longer be with us. U.S. Soccer sends its sincerest condolences to Grant’s wife, Dr. Celine Gounder, and all of his family members, friends and colleagues in the media,” the statement concluded. “And we thank Grant for his tremendous dedication to and impact on our game in the United States. His writing and the stories he told will live on.”
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