• Loading stock data...
Friday, October 17, 2025

American Soccer Journalist Grant Wahl Dies While Covering World Cup in Qatar

  • Wahl had just celebrated his 49th birthday.
  • He was pronounced dead after collapsing during the Netherlands-Argentina match.
American soccer journalist Grant Wahl wears scarf and poses for photo in front of soccer jerseys
Sports Illustrated

Renowned American soccer journalist Grant Wahl has died while covering the World Cup in Qatar.

Wahl had been covering the Netherlands-Argentina match at the Lusail Stadium when he apparently collapsed in extra time. Medics gave him CPR on scene, before eventually taking him away.

Reporters were later told he had died. Wahl’s wife, Dr. Céline Gounder, confirmed the news.

Wahl celebrated his 49th birthday earlier this week.

Wahl’s brother, Eric, also confirmed the news in a since-deleted Instagram post, alleging Grant had been sent death threats — and that he believed his brother had been killed.

Grant Wahl was a noted supporter of LGBTQ rights, in part because of support for his brother. He made headlines in November when a security guard refused to let him into a Qatari stadium because he was wearing a T-shirt with a rainbow on it.

FIFA-World-Cup

LGBT Fans Boycott World Cup As FIFA Stays Quiet

The World Cup takes place between Nov. 20 and Dec. 18.
October 31, 2022

More recently, Wahl wrote a scathing piece on Qatari authorities’ apathy toward migrant workers deaths, after Qatari World Cup chief Nasser Al-Khater brushed off a migrant worker dying while doing repairs at the Saudi Arabian club’s training site.

In a post on his website, Wahl said he had visited a medical clinic on Dec. 5 after having a cold and experiencing chest pressure and discomfort. He was told he probably had bronchitis and was given a course of antibiotics and cough syrup.

Wahl will long be credited for helping to raise the profile of soccer in the United States.

World-Cup

World Cup Puts Qatar’s Human Rights Abuses in Spotlight

LGBT Qataris were arrested and abused as recently as last month.
October 24, 2022

He wrote multiple Sports Illustrated cover stories about soccer, and was a correspondent for CBS Sports during this World Cup. He was also a reporter for Fox Sports from 2012 to 2019.

Wahl wrote for GrantWahl.com and hosted the Fútbol with Grant Wahl podcast. He had recently spoken with Front Office Sports about his expectation’s for this year’s World Cup.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Hansi Flick

Barcelona Players, Coach ‘Not Happy’ About Miami Game

La Liga is on the verge of relocating a December match.
FBI

Former Everton Bidder Indicted For $500 Million Fraud Scheme

777 Partners failed to complete its purchase of Everton in 2023.
Donald Trump

FIFA Backs Down, Suggests Trump Could Move World Cup Games

Trump has threatened to remove games from Seattle, San Francisco, and Boston.
May 25, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Derek Jeter walks the red carpet on Sunday, May 25, 2025, ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The Players’ Tribune Is Still Kicking 11 Years Later

Founder Derek Jeter is still closely involved in the publication.

Featured Today

Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with her teammates after her last second shot to take the lead 90-88 against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
exclusive

Standoff Over WNBA’s Future Has Dominated Finals

CBA negotiations have stolen the spotlight from the Aces’ dominant performance.
Paul Cartier
October 5, 2025

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Apr 11, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of an NBA basketball and backyard and NBA logo before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Toronto Raptors at the American Airlines Center.

NBA Tries to Solve Fragmentation Issue It Helped Create

A new “Tap to Watch” feature will direct fans to live games.
Aug 30, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Brandon Inniss (1) attempts to make a catch over Texas Longhorns defensive back Graceson Littleton (29) in the first half at Ohio Stadium.
October 16, 2025

SEC Games Help ABC Dominate College Football Ratings at Midseason

Texas–Ohio State on Fox remains the most-watched game of the season.
Mar 12, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; General view of ESPN broadcast camera during a game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena.
October 16, 2025

ESPN’s New NBA Segment Resists Hot Takes

LeBron James tweeted in favor of the new segment.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Oct 10, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with teammates after game four of the 2025 WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center.
October 14, 2025

WNBA Finals Draws 1.5M Viewers, Second-Highest Series on ESPN

The four-game series averaged 1.5 million viewers.
MLS
October 14, 2025

MLS Publishes Unchecked AI-Generated Game Recaps

Humans are not reviewing the articles for accuracy.
Micah Parsons
exclusive
October 14, 2025

NFL Scorigami Creator Blames Glitches on Twitter Platform Changes

The bot has been glitching all NFL season, and fans have noticed.
Sep 5, 2025; Flushing, NY, USA; Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Novak Djokovic of Serbia embraces after their match in the semifinal of the men’s singles at the US Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
October 13, 2025

Six Kings Slam Returns With Record $6M Prize, Netflix Deal

The Six Kings Slam is held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.