London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Sunday, Feb 16, 2025

US journalist Grant Wahl, 48, dies covering World Cup in Qatar from ‘acute distress’

US journalist Grant Wahl, 48, dies covering World Cup in Qatar from ‘acute distress’

Popular American sports journalist Grant Wahl died on Friday after suffering “acute distress” while covering a match at the World Cup in Qatar, his agent said.
US Soccer has stated that it was “heartbroken to learn” of Wahl's death and the 48-year-old’s wife, Celine Gounder, has described herself as “in complete shock”.

Wahl, a former Sports Illustrated sportswriter who moved to the Substack online publishing platform, had been tweeting about the Netherlands’ quarter-final with Argentina on Friday night.

His agent, Tim Scanlan, told Reuters that Wahl had “appeared to suffer some kind of acute distress in the start of extra time” at the Lusail Stadium.

Scanlan said attempts were made to revive Wahl in the press box before he was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

“We are in touch with the U.S. Embassy and relevant local authorities to ensure the process of repatriating the body is in accordance with the family’s wishes,” the SC spokesperson said.

Qatar’s World Cup organisers, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC), paid tribute to Wahl’s “enormous love of football” and offered condolences to his family, friends and media colleagues. FIFA stated its “disbelief and immense sadness” at his death.

“Everyone's emotional and it's really traumatic,” Scanlan said. “He was a true advocate for both the men's and women's games and really just cared deeply about the sport. He was empathetic and just truly a brilliant writer.”

Wahl said in late November he was briefly detained when he tried to enter a World Cup stadium in Qatar while wearing a rainbow shirt in support of the LGBTQ+ community in a country where same-sex relations are illegal.



He said World Cup security denied him entry to the United States' opener against Wales at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan and asked him to take his shirt off. Wahl wrote on Monday that he had visited a hospital while in Qatar.

“I didn't have Covid (I test regularly here), but I went into the medical clinic at the main media center today, and they said I probably have bronchitis,” he posted on Substack.

US State Department spokesman Ned Price said on Twitter the department had been in close communication with Wahl's family.

“We are engaged with senior Qatari officials to see to it that his family’s wishes are fulfilled as expeditiously as possible,” said Price.



The world footballing community shared in an immediate outpouring of grief over the news.

“He was a kind and caring person whose passion for soccer and dedication to journalism were immeasurable,” Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber said in reaction to news of Wahl's death.

“This is so devastating,” World Cup winner Megan Rapinoe said on Twitter. “All the love to his family and loved ones.”
Comments

Oh ya 2 year ago
Just have to love all the new names they are inventing for died suddenly from the clot shot. If you failed the world IQ test and took the jab you best start reading alternative news on what you might be able to do to get the spike proteins out of your body that the jab is making your body produce nonstop. And get right with your God

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Elon Musk is Sherlock Holmes - Movie Trailer Parody featuring Donald Trump's Detective
Trump's Greenland Suggestion Sparks Sovereignty Discussion Amidst Historical Resentments
California's CalExit Movement Gathers Momentum Amid Ongoing Political and Economic Discussions in the State.
USAID Revealed: American Tax Dollars Utilized to Erode Democracy in Europe Until Trump Put a Stop to It
Pam Bondi Leaves Congress in Utter Shock with a Stunning Rebuttal of Adam Schiff.
Trump's Press Secretary SLAMS Republican Mitch McConnell for Opposing Tulsi Gabbard.
Brand Finance Unveils its Rankings of the Best CEOs for 2025: Satya Nadella Takes the Lead
Steering Through the Updated Chain of Command at the European Commission
Parliamentarian Advocates for Preservation of AI Liability Directive
Mark Rutte Calls on NATO Allies to Increase Defence Expenditure
Dresden Marks the 80th Anniversary of the World War II Bombing
Global Community Pledges to Assist Syria's Political Transition
EU Activates €200 Billion for AI Investment and Introduces €20 Billion Fund for Gigafactories
EU Recognizes Difficulty in Closing the USAID Funding Shortfall Due to Stalled US Aid
Commission President von der Leyen Not Present at Notre Dame Reopening Due to Last-Minute Cancellation
EU Establishes Disinformation Code for Online Platforms, Leaving Out X
EU Lags in Enforcing Essential Cybersecurity Directives
EU Under Fire for Streamlining Discussions on Corporate Sustainability Reporting
Shein Receives Further Information Request from EU During Ongoing Investigation
European Commission Initiates Investigation into Shein While Focusing on Chinese E-Commerce Regulations
Trump's special envoy for hostage affairs cautions Hamas against challenging Trump before Saturday's deadline.
Ukraine Confirms Territorial Loss in Russia's Kursk Region
Trump Declares Reciprocal Tariffs as Trade Conflict Intensifies
California Congressman Robert Garcia's Threats of Utilizing Weapons Against Elon Musk
Trump and Putin Address Ukraine Peace Negotiations in Response to Worldwide Reactions
Honda and Nissan Conclude Merger Talks
New York Fashion Week Highlights Iconic Returns and Emerging Talents
Trump Proposes Including Ukraine in Peace Talks to Settle the Conflict
Trump Supports Russia's Reinstatement in G7 Amid Continuing Diplomatic Strains
Zelensky Warns Against Placing Trust in Putin as Peace Negotiations Progress
MI5 Acknowledges Submitting False Evidence in Court Concerning Neo-Nazi Informant
Trump Asserts BRICS 'Is No More' in Light of Tariff Threats.
UK Introduces New Citizenship Restrictions for Refugees Who Arrive Illegally
Stoke-on-Trent Schools Face 'Astronomical' Repair Costs Amid PFI Contract Challenges
Employment Tribunal Reviews Use of Female Changing Room by Transgender Doctor
Projected Costs and Funding Dynamics of the NHS: An In-Depth Analysis
Scrutiny Over Rachel Reeves' Career and Expenses Claims Ahead of Ministerial Role
Sue Gray Introduced as Baroness Gray of Tottenham in the House of Lords
Fire Engulfs Primary School in Wales, Leading to Evacuations
Two British citizens apprehended in Iran amidst rising tensions.
Inquest Reveals Manipulation and Harassment Faced by Soldier Before Death
UK Economy Registers Unexpected Growth in Final Quarter of 2024
Ukraine's Role Central to Peace Negotiations, Asserting Global Sentiment
Winter Pressures Unfold at Royal Free Hospital Amid NHS Strain
Rachel Reeves's CV and Expenses Scrutiny Following BBC Investigation
Trump's Tariffs Loom Large Over Significant German Trade Exhibition
President Trump Resolves Legal Disputes with X and Meta Regarding Social Media Bans
OpenAI Modifies Approach in Response to Increasing AI Competition
Amazingly Good News for USA and the World: Gabbard Confirmed as U.S. Intel Chief in Latest Victory for Trump!
UK Business Leaders Expect Profit Increase Despite Regulatory Crackdown on the Shadow Economy
×