Football writer Grant WAHL died in Qatar on SAT 10 DEC 2022 at the age of 48. He was covering the 2022 Men’s World Cup, his eighth Men’s World Cup. The cause of death was reported as a ruptured aortic aneurysm.

Wahl reported on every Men’s World Cup starting with the 1994 tournament in the United States, his home nation. He also covered four Women’s World Cups and five Olympic games.

Wahl’s career of nearly thirty years included more than twenty years at US magazine Sports Illustrated, as well as frequent contributions to US television networks. He also wrote The Beckham Experiment, a book on David BECKHAM’s transfer to the Los Angeles Galaxy and its effects on football in the US.

Before and during the 2022 Men’s World Cup, Wahl drew attention to the human rights record of host nation Qatar, including pieces on the unexplained deaths of migrant workers at construction sites. He was detained for nearly 30 minutes at the match between the US and Wales for wearing a rainbow shirt in support of the Qatari LGBTQ community. Homosexuality is outlawed in Qatar.

At the tournament, Wahl was one of a number of journalists honoured by FIFA and the International Sports Press Association for covering eight or more Men’s World Cups.

On MON 05 DEC 2022, Wahl stated that he had a suspected case of bronchitis and was prescribed antibiotics at a clinic in Qatar. According to reports, he collapsed during extra time of the quarterfinal match between the Netherlands and Argentina on FRI 09 DEC 2022, and was taken to hospital.

After his death, Wahl’s body was returned to the United States. According to his wife, Celine GOUNDER, the medical examiner in New York City, NY, USA found that the cause of death was a ruptured aortic aneurysm, a breakage in the aorta that was not previously detected.

During the quarterfinal between England and France, an empty seat was left in the media tribune where Wahl was to have been present, adorned with white lilies and a photograph of him.