American Journalist Dies during Argentina-Netherlands Match in Qatar

American journalist Grant Wahl,48, passed away in Qatar after collapsing while covering Friday’s Argentina-Netherlands match in the World Cup, a witness told CNN.

“The entire US Soccer family is heartbroken to learn that we have lost Grant Wahl,” US Soccer said in a statement on its official Twitter account. “Grant made soccer his life’s work, and we are devastated that he and his brilliant writing will no longer be with us.”

US Soccer also hailed Wahl’s passion and “belief in the power of the game to advance human rights,” and shared its condolences with Wahl’s wife, Celine Gounder, and his loved ones.

Gounder also posted the US Soccer statement on Twitter, affirming that she is thankful for the support of so many friends who have reached out.

“I’m in complete shock,” wrote Gounder, a former CNN contributor who served on the Biden-Harris transition Covid-19 advisory board.

Wahl had covered soccer for more than two decades, including 11 World Cups, and authored several books on the sport, according to his website.

The American journalist complained of feeling unwell, noting that he had gotten pretty bad in terms of like tightness in his chest and pressure.

“Feeling pretty hairy, bad,” Wahl told co-host Chris Wittyngham in an episode that was published on 6 December. He added that he had experienced an “involuntary capitulation by my body and mind” following the US-Netherlands game on 3 December.

“This isn’t my first rodeo. I’ve done eight of these on the men’s side,” he said. “And so like, I’ve gotten sick to some extent at every tournament, and it’s just about trying to find a way to like get your work done.”

He further indicated that his body “broke down” after he had little sleep, high stress, and a heavy workload. 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.

On his part, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said the department was in “close communication” with Wahl’s family.