Soccer journalist and Kansas City native Grant Wahl dies while covering Qatar World Cup
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Journalist Grant Wahl, a Kansas City native in Qatar covering the 2022 FIFA World Cup, has died.
Wahl’s death was confirmed by U.S. Soccer Friday evening in the United States.
“The entire U.S. Soccer family is heartbroken to learn that we have lost Grant Wahl,” U.S. Soccer said in a statement.
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 Dr. Celine Gounder tweeted, “I’m 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.
I'm in complete shock. https://t.co/OB3IzOxGlE— Céline Gounder, MD, ScM, FIDSA (@celinegounder) December 10, 2022
Wahl, a 48-year-old graduate of Shawnee Mission East High, apparently died after covering the Argentine-Netherlands game on Friday in Lusail, Qatar. Wahl had tweeted during the game, played Friday afternoon Central Time.
According to the Associated Press, U.S. media seated near him during the game said Wahl, who was covering his eighth World Cup, fell back in his seat during extra time and reporters near him called for assistance.
The reporters said emergency workers responded quickly and the reporters were told that Wahl had died.
No official information on the cause of Wahl’s death had been released by government or police officials, or World Cup representatives, as of 9:30 p.m. Friday night.
Wahl was hired by Sports Illustrated in 1996 to cover college basketball and soccer. He has worked for Fox Sports, and was contributing to CBS Sports while writing his blog Futbol with Grant Wahl on www.grantwahl.com during the World Cup.
Kansas City Current co-owners Chris and Angie Long went to Princeton with Wahl, and Chris Long said on twitter that Wahl played a role in creating the expansion franchise.
“Angie and I are devastated,” Long said. We have together known (Wahl) for 30+ yrs. (The Current) wouldn’t exist without having had Grant’s advice. He was our first call. He is a legend. His words were always insightful, honest, powerful but his actions made all our lives better.”
Angie and I are devastated. We have together known @GrantWahl for 30+ yrs. @thekccurrent wouldn’t exist without having had Grant’s advice. He was our first call. He is a legend. His words were always insightful, honest, powerful but his actions made all of our lives better. https://t.co/vyOXtZwVrd
— Chris Long (@cdlong97) December 10, 2022
KC Current statement on the passing of Grant Wahl. pic.twitter.com/DgI6mv2BnG
— KC Current (@thekccurrent) December 10, 2022
Wahl wrote that he had been to the medical clinic twice during his stay and offered more details about an apparent illness.
“My body finally broke down on me,” Wahl wrote. “Three weeks of little sleep, high stress and lots of work can do that to you. 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.”
Wahl was not afraid to tackle tough topics off the pitch. The heading on a recent blog post: “They just don’t care. Qatari World Cup organizers don’t even hide their apathy over migrant worker deaths, including the most recent one.”
Numb. Shocked. Devastated to hear the news about Grant Wahl. The world lost a kind human being. Met Grant as a young reporter and later had the pleasure of working with him last WC. He loved people, life and our sport. May your soul rest in peace Grant.
— Tony Meola (@TMeola1) December 10, 2022
Wahl’s brother, Eric, was the first to announce that Grant Wahl had died. Eric Wahl said in a social media post Friday evening that he believes his brother’s passing occurred under suspicious circumstances. Wahl had worn a rainbow shirt to USA’s World Cup opener against Wales to show solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community and support for Eric, who is gay.
“My brother was healthy,” Eric Wahl said on his Instagram account. “He told me he received death threats.”
The AP reported rainbow-colored armbands, shirts and other items have been a focus of attention during the tournament, in part over Qatar’s stance on LGBTQ rights. Gay and lesbian sex is criminalized in Qatar, a conservative Muslim nation on the Arabian Peninsula. Wahl said FIFA later apologized to him over the incident.
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
Learned of Grant Wahl’s passing while I was at the Sixers game. Completely shocked. My heart goes out to his wife, family, friends and the soccer community. Truly heartbreaking.
— Carli Lloyd (@CarliLloyd) December 10, 2022
Sporting Kansas City mourns the loss of Grant Wahl. The Kansas native was so much more than just a journalist to many. His passion for storytelling and the beautiful game made him a beloved member of the soccer community.
Our thought are with his family and friends.— Sporting Kansas City (@SportingKC) December 10, 2022
Generous of spirit, a peerless journalist, #grantwahl did more to inform and explain and celebrate the beautiful game than any other American. Ever. Full stop. His loss is incalculable to our profession. Prayers for his family.
— Bob Ley (@BobLeyESPN) December 10, 2022
The soccer community lost a real one today. And for women’s soccer, one of the originals who helped drive our game forward. Grant Wahl never shied away from asking the tough questions, the right questions, the ones that got to the heart of the matter. He will be greatly missed.
— Becky Sauerbrunn (@beckysauerbrunn) December 10, 2022
Grant Wahl was a legendary soccer writer and so much more. Don't forget he wrote THE story on Ohio high school junior LeBron James that landed him on the cover of SI in 2002 as "The Chosen One."https://t.co/5Ej9B6PWQ8
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 10, 2022
Statement from the NWSL on the passing of Grant Wahl pic.twitter.com/yB8SaxshGO
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) December 10, 2022
Grant Wahl was incredibly kind to me long before anyone knew who I was. His dedication to equity & fairness in the sport he loved was matched only by his adoration & support for the often thankless mission of his wife @celinegounder. I am absolutely shaken to learn of his death.
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) December 10, 2022
The AP contributed to this report.