A well-known American journalist, Grant Wahl, passed away this Friday in Qatar while covering the World Cup quarterfinal match between Argentina and the Netherlands, according to the United States Soccer Federation.
The exact cause of Wahl’s death has not been publicly disclosed. His brother later posted on Instagram, asserting that Wahl was a football reporter who had received threats after wearing a rainbow flag T-shirt in support of the LGBTQ community. In the brother’s words, documented by the New York Post, he identified himself as Eric Wahl, a Seattle resident, and said, “I’m Grant Wahl’s brother. I’m gay. I’m the reason he wore the rainbow jersey at the World Cup. My brother was healthy. He told me he had received death threats. I don’t think my brother just died. I think he was killed. Any help.”
Witnesses reported that Wahl collapsed during the game and CPR was performed at the scene before he was transported to a hospital. It remains unclear whether the death occurred en route or at the health facility.
CNN reported that Wahl had discussed health concerns on a recent episode of his podcast, noting that he had not slept well and had felt chest pressure the week prior. He reportedly visited a medical clinic provided for media twice and was diagnosed with bronchitis. On Thursday, Wahl said he felt better after resting, though he described an “involuntary surrender of body and mind” during a tense moment in the match between the United States and the Netherlands.
Wahl was married to Céline R. Gounder, a physician specializing in infectious diseases who participated in expert guidance during the early stages of the COVID-19 response. In social media posts, Gounder expressed gratitude for the support from Wahl’s colleagues and friends and shared that she was in shock. Public statements from U.S. officials indicated ongoing contact with Wahl’s family and reassurance that the appropriate authorities would address the family’s wishes promptly. A spokesperson noted ongoing coordination with Qatari authorities to support the family.
For two decades, Wahl established himself as a prominent football journalist, particularly through his work with a major U.S. sports publication. In 2020 he shifted to a paid digital model, continuing to chronicle football culture and the human stories around the sport. One of his last pieces touched on the human cost of World Cup hosting, including the plight of migrant workers in Qatar and what officials did or did not do in response to those concerns, as reported by press agencies at the time.
The federation in North America expressed deep sorrow over the loss of a reporter who shaped football coverage in the United States. Officials praised his dedication and the influence of his reporting, noting that his work and the narratives he told would endure in the sport’s history.