US soccer journalist Grant Wahl passes away at World Cup.

• Grant Wahl dies covering Argentina-Netherlands match.
• 48-year-old helped increase soccer’s popularity in U.S.
• Wahl was among 82 journalists awarded for attending 8+ World Cups.

Grant Wahl, an American journalist who helped increase soccer’s popularity in the U.S., died Saturday while covering Argentina-Netherlands World Cup match. 48-year-old

Wahl fell back in his seat in a journalists-only section of Lusail Stadium during extra time.

Keir Radnedge, a renowned British sports journalist nearby, said emergency workers arrived swiftly, treated him for 20 or 30 minutes on site, and then carried him away on a stretcher.

The World Cup organising committee said he was transferred to Doha’s Hamad General Hospital but did not say how he died. “We’re in communication with the US Embassy and local authorities to ensure the body is repatriated according to the family’s wishes,” it stated.

Wahl, who worked for Sports Illustrated for more than two decades and subsequently created his own website, informed Americans about soccer when the U.S. hosted the 1994 World Cup. He criticised world sport’s governing bodies.

Wahl ran against Sepp Blatter and Mohamed bin Hammam in 2011. He promised more openness at FIFA and says he contacted 150 countries without success.

Radnedge stated he “placed soccer on the mainstream sports map in the US.”

“Grant had a strong moral compass on what athletics should be and how they should set standards,” he added. Grant was always on the good guys’ side, wanting soccer to succeed.

Wahl’s 8th World Cup. He said on his website that he attended a Qatari clinic.

“My body gave out. Wahl said that three weeks of insufficient sleep, stress, and work may do that. The cold I’d had for 10 days got worse the night of the USA-Netherlands game, and I felt pressure and discomfort in my upper chest.

Wahl’s problems were treated after he tested negative for COVID-19.

The medical facility at the major media centre indicated I probably have bronchitis. Antibiotics and cough syrup helped me feel better within hours. He wrote, “No bueno.”

Wahl tweeted his birthday on Wednesday.

“We could always count on Grant to deliver smart and interesting stories,” the USSF remarked. Grant’s enthusiasm for soccer and devotion to promoting it helped drive interest and respect for our wonderful game.

Wahl’s wife, Dr. Celine Gounder, thanked his “soccer family” and friends on Twitter.

“I’m in full shock,” wrote Gounder, a CBS News contributor and associate professor at NYU School of Medicine.

U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price tweeted that officials were in contact with Qatari authorities “to expedite his family’s requests.”

Wahl wore a rainbow T-shirt supporting LGBTQ rights to the U.S. World Cup opener versus Wales on Nov. 21 and was instructed to remove it. Qatar criminalises gay and lesbian sex.

Wahl covered LeBron James for Sports Illustrated in 2002, when James was a junior at Akron’s St. Vincent-St. Mary High.

“He was always cool. James said this following the Lakers’ overtime loss to the 76ers in Philadelphia. “Whenever his name comes up, I think back to being a youngster in St. V’s. Tragedy. It’s a shame he’s gone. Wishing his family well. Rest in peace.

Wahl was among 82 journalists awarded by FIFA and AIPS for attending eight or more World Cups.

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