FIFA World Cup: Sports Writer Grant Wahl dies, family claim he was murdered

The World Cup has been rocked by the shock death of journalist Grant Wahl, just days after being detained for wearing a rainbow T-shirt, with his family suspecting foul play.

The World Cup in Qatar has been rocked by the shock passing of esteemed US sports writer Grant Wahl, with claims he was murdered.

Wahl, an influential soccer writer and former Sports Illustrated journalist, died while covering the World Cup, his brother Eric announced on social media.

A distraught Eric suggested foul play may have been involved with news of the 48-year-old journalist’s sudden passing quickly making its way all the way to the White House.

“My name is Eric Wahl. I live in Seattle, Washington. I am Grant Wahl’s brother. I’m gay,” Eric said in a video posted to his Instagram account.

US journalist Grant Wahl has died while covering the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Picture: Twitter

“I’m the reason he (Grant) wore the rainbow shirt to the World Cup. My brother was healthy. He told me he received death threats.

“I do not believe my brother just died. I believe he was killed. And I just beg for any help.

Wahl’s wife Celine Gounder, a renowned epidemiologist and expert on infectious diseases, tweeted: “I’m in complete shock.”

“Grant made soccer his life’s work, and we are devastated that he and his brilliant writing will no longer be with us,” US Soccer said in a statement.

FIFA President expresses condolences to family and friends of Grant Wahl. pic.twitter.com/WoEN5hUMve

— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) December 10, 2022

Earlier in the tournament, Wahl was initially not allowed into Ahmad bin Ali Stadium and detained for 30 minutes for wearing a shirt depicting a soccer ball surrounded by a rainbow. He was eventually let into the stadium.

Wahl was critical of Qatar World Cup organisers, accusing them of not caring about migrant worker deaths in his final story.

The Qatari government cracked down on pro-LGBTQ demonstrations at the tournament despite their original promises not to.

Wahl had been covering Argentina’s quarterfinal win over the Netherlands on Saturday morning (AEDT), when he collapsed at Lusail Iconic Stadium and was rushed to a nearby hospital.

NPR can confirm the death of longtime soccer sportswriter Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl). He died today in Doha, Qatar while covering the Argentina-Netherlands World Cup quarterfinal. Story to come.

— Russell Lewis (@rdlewis) December 10, 2022

According to the New York Post, Wahl was married to Céline R. Gounder, an American infectious disease physician who served on the COVID-19 Advisory Board transition team for President Joe Biden.

“We’re still trying to find out,” Eric continued.

“He collapsed at the stadium, was given CPR, was taken by Uber to hospital and died according to Celine.

“We just spoke with the state department and Celine has spoken to Ron Klain and the White House.”

This is Grant Wahl on his podcast yesterday. pic.twitter.com/LN0gxbQZkr

— Kyle Koster (parody impersonation) (@KyleKoster) December 10, 2022

Associated Press reported on Saturday afternoon that U.S. media seated near him said Wahl was stricken while in the media tribute at Lusail Iconic Stadium during extra time of Argentina against Netherlands and could not be revived.

Wahl was covering his eighth World Cup.

He wrote on Monday that he had visited a hospital while in Qatar.

“My body finally broke down on me. Three weeks of little sleep, high stress and lots of work can do that to you,” Wahl 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 at the main media centre today, and they said I probably have bronchitis.

“They gave me a course of antibiotics and some heavy-duty cough syrup, and I’m already feeling a bit better just a few hours later. But still: “No bueno.”

Originally published as FIFA World Cup: Sports Writer Grant Wahl dies, family claim he was murdered