Football writer Grant Wahl dies at World Cup match between Argentina and Netherlands in Qatar
- Wahl, one of the most well-known football writers in the US, died while covering the quarter-final on Saturday at Lusail Iconic Stadium
- American had visited a medical clinic in Qatar, saying his ‘body broke down’ after ‘three weeks of little sleep, high stress and lots of work’
Grant Wahl, one of the most well-known football writers in the United States, died early on Saturday morning while covering the World Cup match between Argentina and the Netherlands.
US media seated near him said Wahl fell back in his seat in a section of Lusail Iconic Stadium reserved for journalists during extra time of the game, and reporters adjacent to him called for assistance. Emergency services workers responded very quickly, the reporters said, and the reporters later were told that Wahl had died.
“He received immediate emergency medical treatment on site, which continued as he was transferred by ambulance to Hamad General Hospital,” the World Cup organising committee said in a statement, which did not list a cause of death.
“We are in touch with the US Embassy and relevant local authorities to ensure the process of repatriating the body is in accordance with the family’s wishes.”
Wahl tweeted on Wednesday that he had celebrated his birthday that day. American reporters who knew Wahl said he was 49.
“We could always count on Grant to deliver insightful and entertaining stories about our game, and its major protagonists,” the US Soccer Federation said in a statement. “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.”
