Grant Wahl

Grant Wahl, a prominent U.S. soccer writer, died early Saturday while covering the World Cup match between Argentina and the Netherlands.

He spent a lot of time in my hometown of Akron," James said in Philadelphia after the Los Angeles Lakers lost in overtime to the 76ers. "His love for football was immense and his reporting will be missed by all who follow the global game." Among Wahl's work at Sports Illustrated was the famous "The Chosen One" cover story about LeBron James in 2002, when James was a junior at St. He will always be part of the SI family." "He received immediate emergency medical treatment on site, which continued as he was transferred by ambulance to Hamad General Hospital," the World Cup organizing committee said in a statement, which did not list a cause of death. "He was always pretty cool to be around. Soccer also [released a statement](https://twitter.com/ussoccer/status/1601401947692863489) Friday night, saying they were "heartbroken" to learn of Wahl's death. "Any time his name would come up, I'll always think back to me as a teenager having Grant in our building down at St. [@USMNT], we offer our deepest sympathy to [@celinegounder]& all those who mourn the loss of Grant Wahl. A 1996 graduate of Princeton, Wahl worked for Sports Illustrated from 1996 to 2021, known primarily for his coverage of soccer and college basketball. [tweeted Friday night](https://twitter.com/celinegounder/status/1601404727014879232?s=20&t=BTVwdfzmYm5gpMIaLlliww) that she was in "complete shock" and thanked everyone for their support of her husband. Emergency services workers responded very quickly, the reporters said, and they were later told that Wahl had died.

Grant Wahl, who in his career covered soccer for Sports Illustrated, Fox Sports and CBS, was in Qatar for his eighth World Cup.

Earlier in the tournament, Wahl attracted attention for attending the game between Wales and the United States wearing a rainbow T-shirt, in support of L.G.B.T.Q. Wahl refused, and eventually a security supervisor apologized and let him into the stadium. Don Garber, the commissioner of Major League Soccer, wrote that Wahl “was a kind and caring person whose passion for soccer and dedication to journalism were immeasurable.” “I could feel my upper chest take on a new level of pressure and discomfort,” he wrote, adding that he had tested negative for the coronavirus. Wahl then transitioned to cover soccer exclusively and his career grew in prominence alongside the sport in the United States. He wrote a book about the years Beckham spent playing in Major League Soccer, called “ Medical officials in Qatar, he said, thought he had bronchitis. Embassy in Qatar and the United States Soccer Federation. Wahl was writing daily articles and recording podcasts every other day from Qatar throughout the World Cup. A family friend said that Gounder asked for privacy, and would leave all public comment to the U.S. “He said, ‘I just need to like relax for a bit.’” Wahl’s agent, Tim Scanlan, confirmed the death in a phone interview on Friday night.

Prominent soccer journalist Grant Wahl died while covering the World Cup in Qatar, just days after his 48th birthday.

"I kept trying to secure that nomination right up until the last day before the deadline. "I remember telling my friends in high school that I wanted to write for Sports Illustrated someday." The team was coached by Bob Bradley, who went on to coach in Major League Soccer and for the United States men's national team. Here in the United States Grant's passion for soccer and commitment to elevating its profile across our sporting landscape played a major role in helping to drive interest in and respect for our beautiful game." It's unfortunate to lose someone as great as he was." "The entire US soccer family is heartbroken to learn that we have lost Grant," the statement read. His writing and the stories he told will live on." media seated near him said Wahl fell back in his seat in a section of Lusail Iconic Stadium reserved for journalists during extra time of the game, and reporters adjacent to him called for assistance. "We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken over the tragic passing of Grant Wahl. “He received immediate emergency medical treatment on site, which continued as he was transferred by ambulance to Hamad General Hospital,” the World Cup organizing committee said in a statement, which did not list a cause of death. “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. Emergency services workers responded very quickly, the reporters said, and the reporters later were told that Wahl had died.

U.S. media seated near him said Wahl was stricken while in the media tribute at Lusail Iconic Stadium during extra time and could not be revived. Wahl was ...

Grant Wahl, a prominent US soccer writer, died early Saturday while covering the World Cup match between Argentina and the Netherlands.

He spent a lot of time in my hometown of Akron," James said in Philadelphia after the Los Angeles Lakers lost in overtime to the 76ers. "His love for football was immense and his reporting will be missed by all who follow the global game." Among Wahl's work at Sports Illustrated was the famous "The Chosen One" cover story about LeBron James in 2002, when James was a junior at St. He will always be part of the SI family." "He received immediate emergency medical treatment on site, which continued as he was transferred by ambulance to Hamad General Hospital," the World Cup organizing committee said in a statement, which did not list a cause of death. "He was always pretty cool to be around. Soccer also [released a statement](https://twitter.com/ussoccer/status/1601401947692863489) Friday night, saying they were "heartbroken" to learn of Wahl's death. "Any time his name would come up, I'll always think back to me as a teenager having Grant in our building down at St. [@USMNT], we offer our deepest sympathy to [@celinegounder]& all those who mourn the loss of Grant Wahl. A 1996 graduate of Princeton, Wahl worked for Sports Illustrated from 1996 to 2021, known primarily for his coverage of soccer and college basketball. [tweeted Friday night](https://twitter.com/celinegounder/status/1601404727014879232?s=20&t=BTVwdfzmYm5gpMIaLlliww) that she was in "complete shock" and thanked everyone for their support of her husband. Emergency services workers responded very quickly, the reporters said, and they were later told that Wahl had died.

Wahl was an analyst on CBS Sports throughout the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

And we thank Grant for his tremendous dedication to and impact on our game in the United States. On Thanksgiving Day, "Good Rivals" -- a docuseries exploring the social, political and sporting layers of the rivalry between the United States and Mexico -- launched with Wahl as one of the producers. Here in the United States, Grant's passion for soccer and commitment to elevating its profile across our sporting landscape played a major role in helping to drive interest in and respect for our beautiful game. She is a CBS News medical contributor and former member of the COVID-19 Advisory Board created by the transition team of then-U.S. Wahl fortified his place in the sports industry as one of the most renowned soccer reporters in the United States where he covered Major League Soccer, the National Women's Soccer League and the U.S. Wahl is survived by his wife, Celine Gounder, an American medical doctor and medical journalist who specializes in infectious diseases and global health. He worked his way up to become a senior writer at Sports Illustrated where he covered numerous NCAA Tournaments, Olympics Games and World Cups over the course of his career. While in Qatar, Wahl was honored by FIFA -- along with 70-plus veteran journalists who have covered eight or more World Cups -- in a special ceremony held in conjunction with the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). Detailing impact of Beckham's move to the United States, it became a New York Times bestseller. Wahl's agent, Tim Scanlan, told CBS News that Wahl "appeared to have suffered some sort of acute distress in the press room" when the two teams began playing in extra time. 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," Wahl wrote on Dec. He may have suffered a heart attack or a pulmonary event, according to those close to the situation, but the exact cause of death is not yet known, CBS News reports.

LUSAIL, Qatar — (AP) — Grant Wahl, one of the most well-known soccer writers in the United States, died early Saturday while covering the World Cup match ...

Wahl said FIFA later apologized to him over the incident. Three weeks of little sleep, high stress and lots of work can do that to you,” Wahl wrote. Wahl was covering his eighth World Cup. Emergency services workers responded very quickly, the reporters said, and the reporters later were told that Wahl had died. American reporters who knew Wahl said he was 49. media seated near him said Wahl fell back in his seat in the media tribune at Lusail Iconic Stadium during extra time and reporters adjacent to him called for assistance.

U.S. media seated near him said Wahl fell back in his seat in a section of Lusail Stadium reserved for journalists during extra time of the game, and reporters ...

Late tonight, Friday, December 9th, news came out of Qatar that long-time soccer writer and Kansas City native, Grant Wahl has died in Qatar. It happened during ...

Our thoughts remain with his wife Céline, his family, and his friends at this most difficult time ❤️— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) It’ll be hard to come by any media person in the soccer community that wasn’t directly impacted by Grant Wahl’s kindness & support. He was such an inspiration to our soccer community and anyone who was lucky enough to meet him.❤️ [December 10, 2022] Because he wasn’t a suspicious or cynical person by nature.— Brian Phillips (@brianphillips) Met Grant as a young reporter and later had the pleasure of working with him last WC. He was our first call. For the path he paved, coverage he brought....man....this hurts.— Daniel Sperry (@sperrydaniel94) He gave me an opportunity when I needed one. Grant Wahl was kind. We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken over the tragic passing of Grant Wahl. And of the rainbow shirt he was hassled for trying to wear into the stadium. Additional quotes were added to the story from Grant’s podcast on December 6th.

A prominent football journalist from the United States has died while covering the World Cup in Qatar. Grant Wahl, 48, collapsed suddenly while watching the ...

"He fell ill in the Lusail Stadium media tribune, during last night's quarter-final match between Argentina v Netherlands. "Anyone who met Grant was immediately enthused by him," he said. "My body finally broke down on me," he wrote. "We are in touch with the US Embassy and relevant local authorities to ensure the process of repatriating the body is in accordance with the family's wishes." "Grant was known for his enormous love of football and was in Qatar to cover his eighth Fifa World Cup. [wrote on his website](https://grantwahl.substack.com/p/world-cup-daily-day-22) on Monday that he had been unwell in the last 10 days and was on a course of antibiotics for suspected bronchitis.

The death of prominent journalist Grant Wahl at the World Cup in Qatar has led to an outpouring of shock and grief across the sports world, with NBA star ...

He said security staff had told him to change his shirt because “it’s not allowed,” and had taken his phone. I’ve done eight of these on the men’s side,” he said at the time. US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said the department was in “close communication” with Wahl’s family. He’d had a cold for 10 days, which “turned into something more severe,” he wrote, adding that he felt better after receiving antibiotics and catching up on sleep. Grant was the first person who really paid genuine attention to this sport in a meaningful way,” Wittyngham said. Feeling pretty hairy, bad,” Wahl told co-host Chris Wittyngham in the episode. I’m in complete shock,” wrote Gounder, a former CNN contributor who served on the Biden-Harris transition Covid-19 advisory board. State Department officials are in touch with Grant’s family and with senior officials in the government of Qatar to ensure his family gets the support they need,” Jean-Pierre wrote on Twitter. Because the chairs are freestanding, people were able to move the chairs, so it’s possible to create a little bit of space around him,” Radnedge said. “This was towards the end of extra time in the match. “I’ve always kind of watched from a distance even when I moved up in ranks and became a professional, and he went to a different sport,” said James, speaking at a postgame press conference. “Any time his name would come up I’ll always think back to me as a teenager and having Grant in our building …

LUSAIL, Qatar (AP) — Grant Wahl, one of the most well-known soccer writers in the United States, died early Saturday while covering the World Cup match ...

“You come to a World Cup as a journalist to work, to share the stresses, the pressures but also the enjoyments and the fascination of it — and to share that with your readers, your listeners, your viewers. He spent a lot of time in my hometown of Akron,” James said in Philadelphia after the Los Angeles Lakers lost in overtime to the 76ers. “There was never any doubt that Grant was on the side of the good guys in wanting soccer to make the best of itself.” Wahl also worked for Fox Sports from 2012-19 and was hired by CBS Sports in 2021 as an analyst and editorial consultant. He then launched his own website, Fútbol with Grant Wahl, and a podcast with Meadowlark Media. 21](https://grantwahl.substack.com/p/an-unexpected-detention-by-world) and wrote that security refused him entry and told him to remove the shirt. [a Sports Illustrated cover story](https://vault.si.com/vault/2002/02/18/ahead-of-his-class-ohio-high-school-junior-lebron-james-is-so-good-that-hes-already-being-mentioned-as-the-heir-to-air-jordan) about LeBron James in 2002, when James was a junior at St. “We could always count on Grant to deliver insightful and entertaining stories about our game, and its major protagonists,” the U.S. Wahl, who wrote for Sports Illustrated for more than two decades and then started his own website, was a major voice informing an American public of soccer during time of increased interest after the U.S. and reported on some of the biggest stories in the sport, died Saturday while covering a World Cup match between Argentina and the Netherlands. The World Cup organizing committee said he was taken to Doha's Hamad General Hospital, but it did not state a cause of death. Wahl attempted to run for FIFA president against Sepp Blatter and Mohamed bin Hammam in 2011.

The longtime Sports Illustrated writer, who helped boost the popularity of soccer in the U.S., collapsed in a World Cup press box.

It was everything surrounding it—the politics and the force of good and the corruption. “For Grant, there was something about the sport and the internationalism and the excitement of a rocket ship about to take off,” says his long-time Sports Illustrated colleague L. He did it with a heart, he did it with integrity. Even when I moved up in the ranks and became a professional and he kind of went to a different sport and things of that nature over the years, anytime his name would come up I would always think back to me as a teenager and having Grant in our building down at [St. Princeton was led by Carril, the school’s irascible, diminutive coach who [passed away in August.](https://time.com/6206195/pete-carril-princeton-nba/) “Here was Carril, college basketball’s rural church mouse, scurrying about in some postmodern, ethereal dome, outcoaching the 1995 Coach of the Year, UCLA’s Jim Harrick.” “Here in the United States, Grant’s passion for soccer and commitment to elevating its profile across our sporting landscape played a major role in helping to drive interest in and respect for our beautiful game,” U.S. “As important, Grant’s belief in the power of the game to advance human rights was, and will remain, an inspiration to all.” “We offer our deepest condolences to Grant’s family, friends and his many close colleagues in the media,” a spokesperson for Qatar’s The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy wrote in a statement. “We are in touch with the US Embassy and relevant local authorities to ensure the process of repatriating the body is in accordance with the family’s wishes.” FIFA noted Wahl had recently been honored, along with other journalists, for covering eight straight men’s World Cups. Wahl collapsed in the press box during extra time of the Argentina-Netherlands match on Saturday, and died in a Qatar hospital. What had been a cold over the last 10 days turned into something more severe on the night of the [ USA-Netherlands](https://time.com/6238501/netherlands-united-states-world-cup/) game, and I could feel my upper chest take on a new level of pressure and discomfort. Grant really helped create a great deal of the popularity around soccer in this country.”

LUSAIL, Qatar — (AP) — Grant Wahl, an American journalist who helped grow the popularity of soccer in the U.S. and reported on some of the biggest stories ...

American journalist Grant Wahl died on Friday evening while covering the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. U.S. Soccer and NPR have confirmed Wahl's passing.

LeBron James offered his remembrance of journalist Grant Wahl tonight in Philadelphia. he took delight in seeing this sport grow in this country and wanted to lift those of us around him up. His loss is incalculable to our profession. Grant Wahl was incredibly kind to me long before anyone knew who I was. Grant Wahl was my friend and was one of the most generous, kind, and encouraging people I knew in or out of sports media. [December 10, 2022] Free to read: What happened when Qatar World Cup security detained me for 25 minutes for wearing a t-shirt supporting LGBTQ rights, forcibly took my phone and angrily demanded that I remove my t-shirt to enter the stadium. Wahl’s brother wrote in an Instagram comment that he collapsed at the stadium and died. Wahl had been [writing about the brutal conditions this World Cup was being played under](https://grantwahl.substack.com/p/world-cup-daily-day-25?r=4u5lv&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post). Wahl was fired by the company in 2020 and was [covering the World Cup on his Substack](https://grantwahl.substack.com/) while also doing work for CBS. Soccer](https://twitter.com/ussoccer/status/1601401947692863489) and [NPR](https://twitter.com/rdlewis/status/1601399736560680960?s=46&t=RiRsBL7Mueo_trViRI8jhw) have confirmed Wahl’s passing. Wahl was perhaps the biggest voice on soccer for American audiences.

Grant Wahl, 48, died after collapsing in the media center at Lusail Iconic Stadium during the Netherlands-Argentina match.

“Even when I moved up the ranks and became a professional and he kind of went to a different sport and things of that nature over the years, anytime his name would come up I would always think back to me as a teenager and having Grant in our building down at [St. It’s unfortunate to lose someone as great as he was and I wish his family, like I said, the best. "I can only imagine how hard this must be for his wife Celine, his immediate family, and those who had the good fortune to work and play with him on a daily basis. "He is one of the best humans and writers that I have ever known," she told USA TODAY Sports. "As important, Grant's belief in the power of the game to advance human rights was, and will remain, an inspiration to all. Grant Wahl never shied away from asking the tough questions, the right questions, the ones that got to the heart of the matter. Wahl had written that he had not being feeling well in the days preceding his death, saying in part: “I could feel my upper chest take on a new level of pressure and discomfort." "We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken over the tragic passing of Grant Wahl. media seated near him said Wahl fell back in his seat in a section of Lusail Iconic Stadium reserved for journalists during extra time of the game between Argentina and the Netherlands, and reporters adjacent to him called for assistance. [his contribution to reporting on eight consecutive FIFA World Cups](https://twitter.com/GrantWahl/status/1599925751083433984?s=20&t=-94NLU77zW3c3UYX75Arwg), and his career also included attendance at several FIFA Women's World Cups, as well as a host of other international sporting events. “He received immediate emergency medical treatment on site, which continued as he was transferred by ambulance Hamad General Hospital,” the World Cup organizing committee said in a statement, which did not list a cause of death. He spent 24 years with Sports Illustrated, joining the magazine after he graduated from Princeton in 1996, where he wrote about soccer and college basketball, most prominently.

A prolific journalist, Wahl wrote for multiple outlets and was a CBS Sports contributor.

"Through his work, Grant shared his love of football with millions," the stadium's public address announcer said in a statement. He was a kind and caring person whose passion for soccer and dedication to journalism were immeasurable." He was an analyst on CBS Sports HQ throughout the Qatar World Cup, and wrote guest columns focused on the U.S. Ned Price, a spokesperson for the U.S. "He had just been recognized for his eighth World Cup. "The entire U.S. I basically cancelled everything on this Thursday that I had, and I napped, and I am doing slightly better. Paramedics were called to the scene, Scanlan said, but were unable to revive him. soccer family is heartbroken to learn that we have lost Grant Wahl," the U.S. You can probably tell by my voice that I am not doing 100% here." Wahl, 49, was in Qatar covering the Soccer Federation reported Friday.

Grant Wahl, 48, became ill in the press box in Qatar during a World Cup soccer match Friday and died. Read more on Boston.com.

A tip of the cap to legendary Ch. Lobel brought irreverence, insight, and a warm sense of humor to Ch. They must have the exact same attributes as a man who was one of a kind. To find out the whole story of why Grant Wahl died, it’s going to require reporters with similar talent, contacts, fearlessness, and dedication to unearthing the truth. Joe Castiglione, who has called Red Sox games on the radio since 1983, was a finalist and will get in someday. Martin, who called his last Red Sox game in 1992 and died in 2002, is next eligible in 2027. He covered the complicated and frequently unethical entanglements of the sport critically and fearlessly. And maybe that is where the solace is found. The network did discuss Wahl’s death to open its coverage Saturday, with studio host Rob Stone in tears as he reiterated Friday night’s news. But it would be stunning if Fox elaborates on the context of Wahl’s death, his fearless fact-based criticism of Qatar, and his devastated brother’s suspicions about what happened. The words of admiration and respect after his death did not feel trite, cursory, or previously unsaid. So many others — journalists and fans alike — shared anecdotes about Wahl’s kindness, his joy in finding kindred spirits who loved the sport the way he did.

Grant Wahl, an American journalist who helped grow the popularity of soccer in the U.S. and reported on some of the biggest stories in the sport, ...

“You come to a World Cup as a journalist to work, to share the stresses, the pressures but also the enjoyments and the fascination of it — and to share that with your readers, your listeners, your viewers. He spent a lot of time in my hometown of Akron,” James said in Philadelphia after the Los Angeles Lakers lost in overtime to the 76ers. Wahl also worked for Fox Sports from 2012-19 and was hired by CBS Sports in 2021 as an analyst and editorial consultant. “There was never any doubt that Grant was on the side of the good guys in wanting soccer to make the best of itself.” He then launched his own website, Fútbol with Grant Wahl, and a podcast with Meadowlark Media. [in a tweet](https://twitter.com/StateDeptSpox/status/1601419687619067904) that American officials were in touch with Qatari authorities “to see to it that his family’s wishes are fulfilled as expeditiously as possible.” [Wahl wore a rainbow T-shirt in support of LGBTQ rights to the United States’ World Cup opener against Wales on Nov. 21](https://grantwahl.substack.com/p/an-unexpected-detention-by-world) and wrote that security refused him entry and told him to remove the shirt. [a Sports Illustrated cover story](https://vault.si.com/vault/2002/02/18/ahead-of-his-class-ohio-high-school-junior-lebron-james-is-so-good-that-hes-already-being-mentioned-as-the-heir-to-air-jordan) about LeBron James in 2002, when James was a junior at St. Wahl, who wrote for Sports Illustrated for more than two decades and then started his own website, was a major voice informing an American public of soccer during time of increased interest after the U.S. and reported on some of the biggest stories in the sport, died Saturday while covering a World Cup match between Argentina and the Netherlands. “We could always count on Grant to deliver insightful and entertaining stories about our game, and its major protagonists,” the U.S. The World Cup organizing committee said he was taken to Doha’s Hamad General Hospital, but it did not state a cause of death.

FIFA honored prominent soccer journalist Grant Wahl during the England-France World Cup match, joining a wave of tributes to Wahl following his death.

He was detained briefly for wearing a rainbow, pro-LGBTQ T-shirt to a match earlier in the tournament and reported extensively about human rights issues in Qatar, including the death of migrant workers who built World Cup stadiums. “We are in touch with the US Embassy and relevant local authorities to ensure the process of repatriating the body is in accordance with the family’s wishes,” the World Cup organizing committee told the AP in a statement. Three weeks of little sleep, high stress and lots of work can do that to you,” Wahl wrote. The World Cup organizing committee told the Associated Press he was transported by ambulance to Doha’s Hamad General Hospital and was pronounced dead. Another tribute appeared on the stadium’s two massive scoreboards pregame, with announcements of condolences in English and Arabic. “Tonight we pay tribute to Grant Wahl at his assigned seat in Al Bayt Stadium.