The United States Football Federation issued a statement following the death of CBS journalist Grant Wahl, who covered the World Cup match between the Netherlands and Argentina in the quarterfinals staged in Qatar in 2022.
Regular time finished 2-2, and the ensuing penalty shootout favored the South American side with a 4-3 result.
The federation expressed deep sorrow that day for Wahl’s loss, noting that football fans and top reporters alike could always rely on Wahl to deliver insightful, engaging stories about the game and its players, whose style of play sets football apart from other sports.
Wahl’s passion for soccer in the United States and his drive to elevate the sport’s profile within the athletic community helped spark greater interest and respect for the game he loved.
More significantly, Wahl’s belief in the power of sport to support human rights served as an enduring source of inspiration. For many, Wahl made football his life’s work, and his absence is deeply felt in the community that follows the sport in the United States.
The federation extended its gratitude to Wahl’s wife, Dr. Celine Gounder, and to all family members, friends, and colleagues in the media for his remarkable dedication and influence on American football. The tribute echoed a shared sense of loss and appreciation for Wahl’s career and its impact on the game in the United States.
During the broadcast, commentator Dmitry Shnyakin described a tense moment when Wahl appeared to lose consciousness on air. Health professionals arrived and attempted to revive the 48-year-old journalist, but they were unable to restore him. The reported cause of death was a cardiac event.
There had been prior discussions about Wahl attending group stage matches, including a United States vs. Wales encounter, where he had previously arrived at the stadium wearing a T-shirt bearing a rainbow flag, signaling support for inclusivity and advocacy within the sport.
The family of Wahl has urged a respectful consideration of the circumstances surrounding his passing. Observers and colleagues have emphasized recognizing Wahl as a dedicated journalist who chronicled the sport with depth and humanity, contributing to greater public interest and understanding of football in the United States. The World Cup 2022 coverage, and Wahl’s broader work, are remembered as part of his lasting legacy in American sports journalism.
That event and its aftermath remain a reminder of the emotional stakes involved in international football, where the ambition of teams, the drama of matches, and the role of media intersect in ways that shape national conversations about sport, culture, and community well beyond the final whistle.