American sportswriter Grant Wahl dies while covering World Cup
Grant Wahl, one of America’s leading sportswriters and proponents of the growth of soccer in the United States, passed away on Saturday, while covering his eighth World Cup, and just days after his 48th birthday.
Fans of the US Men’s National Team were just coming to grips with the Americans’ exit from the World Cup when the devastating news emerged from Qatar.
Media members seated close to Wahl reported that he fell back in his seat during extra-time of the quarter-final match between Argentina and the Netherlands. Medical personnel were alerted and reportedly arrived on the scene quickly. He had reported on his site that he was not feeling well and had already visited a medical clinic while in Qatar, attributing it to long hours and little sleep.
The Times of London reported that there was no defibrillator on site. “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. “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 preeminent reporter covering US Soccer was not just a fan of the beautiful game, he was one of the most skilled writers across the sporting landscape. His cover story for Sports Illustrated, entitled, “The Chosen” in 2002 introduced the world to high school basketball phenom Lebron James.
“He was always pretty cool to be around. He spent a lot of time in my hometown of Akron,” Lebron James said in Philadelphia following the Los Angeles Lakers loss to the 76ers. James added, “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. V’s. It’s a tragic loss. It’s unfortunate to lose someone as great as he was. I wish his family the best. May he rest in paradise.”
A graduate of Princeton University in 1996, Wahl was immediately hired by Sports Illustrated and his quest to educate American fans to appreciate and understand soccer began immediately. He stayed with Sports Illustrated until 2021. Wahl also worked for Fox Sports from 2012 to 2019.
An occasional voter in FIFA’s annual awards, Wahl wrote this week that he had been among 82 journalists honored by FIFA and the international sports press association AIPS for attending eight or more World Cups.
Wahl made an impact as soon as play began in Qatar, and not just with his reporting. He wore a rainbow t-shirt in support of LGBTQ rights to the United States’ World Cup opener against Wales on Nov. 21 and wrote that security refused him entry and told him he had to remove the shirt before entering.
Wahl wrote he was detained for 25 minutes at Ahmed Bin Ali stadium in Al Rayyan, then was let go by a security commander. Wahl said FIFA later apologized to him.
“We could always count on Grant to deliver insightful and entertaining stories about our game, and its major protagonists, “said the US Soccer Federation in a statement. “Grant’s belief in the power of the game to advance human rights was, and will remain, an inspiration to all. Grant made soccer his life’s work, and we are devastated that he and his brilliant writing will no longer be with us.”
Grant Wahl wrote the 2009 New York Times bestseller “The Beckham Experiment,” that chronicled the impact of David Beckham’s move to MLS’ LA Galaxy. His passion for the game and his skill in describing not only a match but the complexities of events like the World Cup made him a sought after expert for both news and sports talk shows when it came to discussing soccer.
Wahl is survived by his wife, Dr. Celine Gounder, an associate professor at New York University School of Medicine, attending physician at Bellevue Hospital Center and CBS News medical contributor.
