Sports journalist Grant Wahl dies covering the World Cup in Qatar : NPR

In this file photo, sportswriter Grant Wahl speaks during a panel discussion in New York in 2014. He died in Qatar on Friday while covering the Argentina- Netherlands.

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Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

In this file photo, sportswriter Grant Wahl speaks during a panel discussion in New York in 2014. He died in Qatar on Friday while covering the Argentina- Netherlands.

Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Longtime sportswriter Grant Wahl died on Friday while covering the Argentina-Netherlands quarter-final of the 2022 World Cup in Doha, Qatar.

As the match drew to a close, NPR correspondent Tom Goldman witnessed a commotion in the press box at Lusail Stadium. Reporters dispersed as Wahl collapsed. Paramedics came to the living room area where he was and performed CPR. After several minutes, they took him out on a stretcher while using an automatic chest compressor to continue applying CPR.

Wahl’s wife and his brother both confirmed his death to NPR. He was 48 years old.

Grant Wahl has often appeared on NPR to discuss the intricacies of football and his love of the game.

As NPR reported earlier, Wahl was barred from entering a World Cup stadium in Qatar in November because he was wearing a rainbow t-shirt.

Wahl said a stadium security guard turned him away: “You have to change your shirt. It’s not allowed.” Wahl said he was briefly detained. Qatar have been a controversial host since winning the tournament in 2010.

Its human rights record has been heavily criticised. And, since the start of the tournament last month, the Persian Gulf country’s rules banning same-sex relations have been front and center. It’s illegal in Qatar and punishable by jail. When several captains of European teams announced that they would wear special rainbow armbands, FIFA cracked down and threatened the players with yellow cards.

Wahl had criticized FIFA and Qatar during the tournament. In an interview with NPR, Eric Wahl said his brother was quick to point out the World Cup controversy “He was very critical of FIFA – which is nothing new for him and very critical of the way the Qataris run games.”

Eric Wahl said his brother received death threats while in Qatar because of the rainbow jersey and his continuous reporting on FIFA and the Qatari government.

American football noted Wahl’s death in a tweet, saying the organization was heartbroken. “Grant’s passion for football and his commitment to raising his profile in our sporting landscape has played a major role in helping to generate interest and respect for our beautiful game.”

Wahl was a longtime sports reporter for Sports Illustrated – traveling the world covering football events like the World Cup, Women’s World Cup and many European tournaments. He and the magazine parted ways in 2020 and he branched out on his own. He also appeared regularly on Fox Sports and CBS Sports as a commentator.

Wahl had fallen ill while on assignment in Qatar. On Monday he had written he had visited a medical clinic and the staff thought he had bronchitis.

“My body finally collapsed on top of me,” Wahl wrote. “Three weeks of little sleep, high stress and a lot of work can do this to you… What had been a cold for the last 10 days turned into something more serious the night of the USA-Country game -Down, and I could feel my chest taking on a new level of pressure and discomfort.” He said he had taken antibiotics and they seemed to be helping him.

Eric Wahl said his brother was one of the most sincere people he had ever known. “He was particularly concerned about people whose rights were being violated…and he just wanted to share his love of football with others.”