I'm not sure what there is out on this so far. I ran into the U.S. soccer statement on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/officialussoccer/photos/a.10152373435233941/10159989371243941/ This seems to be very sudden.
yeah, not really a conspiracy theory guy but NEW: World Cup Daily, Day 25. They just don't care. Qatari World Cup organizers don't even hide their apathy over migrant worker deaths, including the most recent one.https://t.co/WEKoMdSm3J— Subscribe to GrantWahl.com (@GrantWahl) December 8, 2022
Apparently, he died in the press box. AP is reporting he's been pretty sick since Monday. World Cup 2022: American soccer reporter Grant Wahl dies in Qatar (yahoo.com) From the Associated Press: LUSAIL, Qatar (AP) — Grant Wahl, one of the most well-known soccer writers in the United States, died early Saturday while covering the World Cup match between Argentina and the Netherlands. U.S. media seated near him said Wahl was stricken while in the media tribute at Lusail Iconic Stadium during extra time and could not be revived. Wahl was covering his eighth World Cup. He wrote Monday that he had visited a hospital while in Qatar. “My body finally broke down on me. Three weeks of little sleep, high stress and lots of work can do that to you,” Wahl wrote. “What had been a cold over the last 10 days turned into something more severe on the night of the USA-Netherlands game, and I could feel my upper chest take on a new level of pressure and discomfort. I didn’t have Covid (I test regularly here), but I went into the medical clinic at the main media center today, and they said I probably have bronchitis. They gave me a course of antibiotics and some heavy-duty cough syrup, and I’m already feeling a bit better just a few hours later. But still: No bueno.” Wahl wrote that he had been among 82 journalists honored by FIFA and the international sports press association AIPS for attending eight or more World Cups. A 1996 graduate of Princeton, Wahl worked for Sports Illustrated from 1996 to 2021, known primarily for his coverage of soccer and college basketball.
Wahl has said he's been sick off and on the last week or so and he's gone to the clinic for it. It seemed he thought it was Bronchitis. Sad deal, great passion and love for Soccer for many years.
Jeezus I hope it wasn’t foul play. He used to post here all the time and I feel like I knew him as a result - I felt like he was one of us even if we also annoyed him. I’m in shock - such horrible news. Condolences to his family.
I've been watching American soccer grow for three decades. I don't know if younger people understand how important Grant was to that growth. I thought I'd be reading and hearing his perspective into old age. But now he's gone and I just can't believe he's gone. Grant was appreciated and he's going to be dearly missed.
his brother is saying he was killed or poisoned after being detained for wearing a flag but it seems too soon to tell
As stated prior, he's been reporting he's been sick and worn out for a week or more. I am sure the hours he's been following and the stress as well as the time zone needs to get stories for the US. I hate people jumping all over conclusions when the only facts are this: He's reported not feeling well and being tired. he passed during a game. His wife is an epidemiologist, I'm sure they'll find out the cause of his death.
Another fact: his brother suspects he was murdered. That is a fact too. I’m not saying it’s true, but just reporting what the man’s own brother said. hopefully Qatar turns over the body and allows an autopsy in UAE or somewhere else more civilized.
This just popped up on my phone. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/09/sports/soccer/grant-wahl-dead.html?referringSource=articleShare I’m finding it more shocking than usual. Seemed to hit me close to my “home”. I actually know who his roommates are in Doha at this time. RIP Grant.
this is horrible and so sad - whether foul play or not. I have been reading and following Grant and Steve Goff for over 20 years. ☹️
Unbelievably sad. The only silver lining I can find is he died while doing what he loved. But it's a very, very thin silver lining. Very thin. I can't imagine how his wife and family feel right now. Requiescat in Pace.
Family and those close to people who die suddenly are struck by grief and at times find "reasons" for that loss. Also a fact. I'm just saying he's been sick, he's stated as much. What would Qatar gain from kiling him? Zero. It causes more problems then anything he was reporting. Neflix did a documentary about it all, reporters all over the world are reporting and have been for years about mirgratory worker death, thousands of people wearing rainbow stuff. So they murder arguably the most popular and known US Soccer Journalist? Zero reasons for that logically.
I wish I had your certainty - we don’t have to look far for authoritarian countries doing awful things. And I really hope you are right.