The well-known US journalist Grant Wahl (48) died on Friday at the World Cup quarterfinals between Argentina and the Netherlands (2:2 aet, 4:3 tl) in the Lusail stadium. This was confirmed by his wife and the US association.
Wahl had collapsed in the stands, according to the Wall Street Journal he suffered a heart attack. “Grant has made football his life’s work. We are shocked that he and his brilliant style of writing will no longer make us happy,” wrote the US association.
Journalist Grant Wahl repeatedly caused a stir during the World Cup by wearing rainbow T-shirts
(Photo: Grant Wahl via Twitter)
His wife Celine Gounder said she was “completely in shock”. Fifa President Gianni Infantino condoled Wahl’s family on Saturday and expressed his “immense dismay” in a statement: “His love for football was great and his reporting will be missed by everyone who follows the global game.”
Wahl repeatedly caused a stir during the World Cup by wearing rainbow T-shirts, and he was even arrested for a short time. He had also pointed out the restrictions on free reporting in the World Cup host country Qatar.