American football journalist Grant Wahl dies at 48 in Qatar

LUSAIL, Qatar — Grant Wahl, one of the best-known football writers in the United States, died early Saturday while covering the World Cup match between Argentina and the Netherlands. He was 48 years old.

US media seated near him said Wahl was struck while in the media box at Lusail Iconic Stadium during extra time and could not be revived. Wahl was covering his eighth World Cup.

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

“My body finally crumbled on me. Three weeks of little sleep, high stress, and a lot of work can do this to you,” Wahl wrote. “What had been a cold for the past 10 days turned into something more serious on the night of the USA-Netherlands game, and I could feel my upper chest taking on a new level of pressure and I didn’t have Covid (I test regularly here), but I went to the main media center medical clinic today, and they said I probably had bronchitis. gave a course of antibiotics and cough syrup, and I already feel a little better a few hours later. But still: No bueno.’

Football issued a statement Friday night, saying they were “heartbroken” to learn of Wahl’s death.

American Football statement on the passing of Grant Wahl: pic.twitter.com/CBp1mCK1mQ

— American Football (@ussoccer) December 10, 2022

Wahl wrote that he was among 82 journalists honored by FIFA and the international sports press association AIPS for attending eight or more World Cups.

A 1996 Princeton graduate, Wahl worked for Sports Illustrated from 1996 to 2021, best known for his coverage of college football and basketball.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.