US sportswriter Grant Wahl dies covering the World Cup in Qatar
Wahl had "appeared to suffer some kind of acute distress in the start of extra time" at the quarter-final match.
US sportswriter Grant Wahl died while covering the World Cup in Doha, Qatar on Friday.
As reported, well-known US soccer journalist Grant Wahl died on Friday after suffering “acute distress” while covering the semi-final between Argentina-Netherlands.
Grant Wahl, 48, collapsed as extra time began in the Argentina-Netherlands game on Friday night.
According to his agent, Tim Scanlan, attempts were made to revive Wahl in the press box before he was taken by stretcher to a local hospital, where he was confirmed dead.
“Everyone’s emotional and it’s really traumatic,” Scanlan said.
“He was a true advocate for both the men’s and women’s games and really just cared deeply about the sport. He was empathetic and just truly a brilliant writer,” Scanlan added.
He had been tweeting about the Netherlands-Argentina match earlier on Friday.
Wahl celebrated his 48th birthday on Thursday with friends in Qatar, a day before he died.
He had written on his website on Monday that he was unwell for the last 10 days and was on a course of antibiotics for suspected bronchitis.
“My body finally broke down on me,” he 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 and the main media center today, and they said I probably have bronchitis.”
As reported earlier, Wahl was prevented from entering one World Cup stadium in Qatar in November because he was wearing a rainbow t-shirt.
Just now: Security guard refusing to let me into the stadium for USA-Wales. “You have to change your shirt. It’s not allowed.” pic.twitter.com/TvSGThMYq8
— Subscribe to GrantWahl.com (@GrantWahl) November 21, 2022
Wahl’s wife, Céline Gounder, said she was in “complete shock” in a tweet, adding that she was “so thankful” for the support she had received from friends.
I am so thankful for the support of my husband @GrantWahl's soccer family & of so many friends who've reached out tonight.
I'm in complete shock. https://t.co/OB3IzOxGlE
— Céline Gounder, MD, ScM, FIDSA 🇺🇦 (@celinegounder) December 10, 2022
