>
The sports world is mourning the shocking death of veteran soccer reporter Grant Wahl at the ongoing World Cup in Qatar. Described as “honest, principled” and “untiring”, Wahl was remembered by most for his kindness.
‘Grant Wahl was nice. Unnecessarily nice,” tweeted radio producer Chris Wittyngham, who had worked with Wahl. ‘I love him and will miss him. He treated me with a level of respect that he didn’t deserve. He gave me a chance when he needed it. And most importantly, he was kind. Unnecessarily kind. I will miss him. I am devastated beyond words.
Wahl, a respected Sports Illustrated alumnus and leading soccer journalist in the US, had been covering the tournament on Substack and for CBS Sports until Friday, when he reportedly collapsed at Lusail Iconic Stadium. He was given CPR and rushed to a nearby hospital in an Uber, but he has since been pronounced dead at age 48.
He had previously complained of bronchitis during a recent podcast and admitted he was ill at the start of the tournament but was “healthy” while reporting on Friday’s Argentina-Netherlands game, according to a social media post by his brother Eric. The White House has been in contact with Wahl’s widow, Dr. Celine Gounder, a former Biden administration official with the COVID-19 response team.
Grant Wahl pictured with his wife, Dr. Celine Gounder, a former White House official
ESPN’s Bob Ley, a vocal supporter of soccer in the US, expressed his dismay on Twitter.
The circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear, though Eric suggested that his brother may have been killed after being arrested earlier in the tournament for wearing a rainbow flag t-shirt, in violation of local anti-gay laws.
“My name is Eric Wahl,” he began his brother’s Instagram video. I live in Seattle, Washington. I’m Grant Wahl’s brother. I am gay. I’m the reason he wore the rainbow jersey at the World Cup. My brother was healthy. He told me that he received death threats. I don’t think my brother just died. I think they killed him. And I just ask for any help.
In addition to the homophobia in Qatar, Wahl also reported heavily on migrant worker deaths ahead of the tournament — as many as 6,500 by some estimates.
There will be a mountain of attention on this, too soon to know how he died, but Grant Wahl (a wonderful football writer) had just published an article about immigrant deaths in Qatar and drew attention to the reaction of security guards when tried to wear a pride jersey,’ Fox Seattle’s Matthew Smith tweeted.
Many have raised suspicions about Wahl’s death, but hard facts remain scarce as Qatari and US authorities try to determine the cause.
A US State Department spokesperson issued a statement late Friday, saying the department was working with “Qatari officials to ensure that his family’s wishes are carried out as quickly as possible.”
The circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear, though Eric suggested that his brother may have been killed after being arrested earlier in the tournament for wearing a rainbow flag t-shirt, in violation of local anti-gay laws. “My name is Eric Wahl,” began the Instagram video of his brother. I live in Seattle, Washington. I’m Grant Wahl’s brother. I am gay. I’m the reason he wore the rainbow jersey at the World Cup. My brother was healthy. He told me that he received death threats. I don’t think my brother just died. I think they killed him. And I only ask for any help’
Radio producer Chris Wittyngham, a former colleague, remembered him for his kindness.
Football podcaster Brian Phillips described Wahl as a ‘brilliant presence’
A Kansas native and Princeton University graduate, Wahl has covered the rise of soccer in the US since the mid-1990s, while helping to popularize the sport with his own brand of storytelling. As head writer for SI, Wahl reported on the Olympics, World Cups, and a variety of other sports, including a 2002 article introducing the masses to a teenage basketball player from Akron, Ohio named LeBron James.
“Over a cup of coffee at SI, Grant told me he was going to Ohio to report on CHOSEN ONE’s cover story on LeBron,” ESPN director Matt Ufford tweeted. ‘He couldn’t have been more humble about how he ‘lucked’ with the assignment. Bulls***. He deserved it, and he delivered.
But it was the world of soccer—fans, reporters, and players—who best knew Wahl’s work.
“No writer has done more for American soccer than @GrantWahl,” added Uffort.
“Grant Wahl was my friend and one of the most generous, kind and encouraging people I’ve ever met in or out of sports media,” football podcaster Brian Phillips tweeted. ‘He was such a brilliant presence; I never spoke to him without feeling a little better about the world afterwards. This is crushing.
Soccer player Jozy Altidore (L) and journalist Grant Wahl attend the 2017 St. Luke’s Foundation for Haiti Benefit Hosted by Kenneth Cole at The Garage on January 10, 2017 in New York City
Jason Gay of the Wall Street Journal described Wahl as a “pioneer, believer, and advocate.”
Journalist Grant Wahl (right) works in the FIFA Media Center before a FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between Wales and USMNT at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on November 21, 2022 in Al Rayyan, Qatar. Stadium security had earlier stopped him for wearing a rainbow-colored jersey before he was later allowed into the stadium.
Lang Whitaker, a longtime NBA reporter who dabbled in soccer, remembered Wahl as a helpful resource for a first-time journalist and someone with a deep love for the sport.
More than a decade ago, when [Ben Osborn] and I were launching Striker football magazine, Grant Wahl reached out, out of the blue, asking how he could help,” Whitaker tweeted. “He ended up writing in every issue, basically for nothing, to help us and to help football. So sad to hear of his passing.
MMA reporter Ariel Helwani described Wahl as “an incredible journalist and a better human being.”
“A kinder soul you will never know,” Helwani tweeted. ‘This is shocking. I sincerely hope this is not foul play stemming from his incredible reporting on Qatar. This is a nightmare.’
Former US goalkeeper Tony Meola was one of several former players who spoke out on Twitter.
SI’s Chris Mannix agreed.
“There are too many examples of Grant Wahl’s kindness as an SI colleague to count here,” Mannix tweeted. “Despite being a great writer, Grant was an even better person. Prayers with his wife and family, whom he loved and of whom he was so proud.
ESPN’s Bob Ley, a vocal supporter of soccer in the US, also expressed his dismay on Twitter: ‘Generous in spirit, a journalist like no other, #grantwahl did more to report, explain and celebrate the beautiful game than anyone else. American. Ever. Final point. His loss is incalculable to our profession. Prayers for his family.
Several American soccer players also reacted to the news on Friday.
‘Numb. Shocked. Devastated to hear the news about Grant Wahl,’ former US goalkeeper Tony Meola tweeted. ‘The world lost a caring human being. I met Grant as a young reporter and then had the pleasure of working with him on the last WC. He loved people, life and our sport. May your soul rest in peace Grant.