Renowned US football journalist Grant Wahl dies during Argentina vs Netherlands FIFA World Cup match. Check out what happened to him.

Grant Wahl : What happened to | Killed | Death cause

During his first year at Princeton University, he covered the Princeton Tigers men’s soccer team, then coached by Bob Bradley, who would go on to manage Major League Soccer teams and the United States national team.

Grant Wahl : What happened to | Killed | Death cause

Bradley provided Wahl with an opportunity to study abroad in Argentina, spending time with Boca Juniors, before returning to the United States for the 1994 FIFA World Cup. Wahl cited his experiences with Bradley as having been a catalyst for his love of the sport.

In 1996, Wahl began his career working with the Miami Herald as an intern. From there, he joined Sports Illustrated in November 1996, covering college basketball as well as soccer.

In his career, Wahl reported on 12 NCAA basketball tournaments, eight FIFA men’s World Cups, four FIFA Women’s World Cups, and five Olympic games.

What happened to Grant Wahl 

American sportswriter, Grant Wahl, who works for the media outlet NPR passed away in Qatar. His death was confirmed by NPR which in its official statement said that Wahl died while covering the Argentina-Netherlands World Cup quarterfinal.

Wahl was one of the most prominent soccer journalists in the US. The 49-year-old died early on Saturday.

Grant Wahl : What happened to | Killed | Death cause

According to reports, Wahl fell back in his seat in the press box at the Lusail Iconic Stadium during the extra time.

Immediately after he collapsed, reporters seated in the box called for assistance. While the emergency services were quick to respond, the reporters were later told that Wahl had died.

However, it is unclear if the journalist died at the hospital or on the way.

The late soccer journalist was covering his eighth world cup. Following the news of his death, tributes poured in on Twitter. The official account of US Soccer shared a moving post about the contribution of Wahl.

“The entire U.S Soccer family is heartbroken to learn that we have lost Grant Wahl. Fans of soccer and journalism of the highest quality knew we could always count on Grant to deliver insightful and entertaining stories about our game, and its major protagonists: teams, plavers, coaches and the many personalities that make soccer unlike any sport,” read an excerpt from the note.

His death triggered a wide spectrum of comments on Twitter.

American commentator Christ Wittyngham tweeted saying, “Grant Wahl was kind. Needlessly kind. I love him and I’ll miss him.”

Killed

Prominent American journalist Grant Wahl has died in Qatar after collapsing while covering the World Cup, sparking an outpouring of shock and grief across the sports world.

He “collapsed” while covering Friday’s Argentina-Netherlands match, a witness told CNN.

Grant Wahl : What happened to | Killed | Death cause

Qatar’s World Cup organizers said on Saturday that Wahl “fell ill” in the press area, where he received “immediate medical treatment on site.”

He was then transferred to Hamad General Hospital, said a spokesperson for the Supreme Court Committee for Delivery and Legacy, the body responsible for planning the tournament.

“The entire US Soccer family is heartbroken to learn that we have lost Grant Wahl,” US Soccer said in a statement on its official Twitter account.

“Grant made soccer his life’s work, and we are devastated that he and his brilliant writing will no longer be with us.”

US Soccer praised Wahl’s passion and “belief in the power of the game to advance human rights,” and shared its condolences with Wahl’s wife, Celine Gounder, and his loved ones.

Gounder also posted the US Soccer statement on Twitter.

“I am so thankful for the support of my husband Grant Wahl’s soccer family and of so many friends who’ve reached out tonight. I’m in complete shock,” wrote Gounder, a former CNN contributor who served on the Biden-Harris transition Covid-19 advisory board.

Death cause 

The veteran reporter was covering Argentina’s chaotic quarter-final win over the Netherlands when he collapsed.

He was rushed to hospital but passed away, two days after his 48th birthday. The news was announced by his brother and confirmed by the US Soccer Association and NPR.

It comes after Wahl was detained for nearly half an hour ahead of the USA’s opening match of the tournament against Wales.

Grant Wahl : What happened to | Killed | Death cause

Wahl was barred entry as security guards demanded he remove a shirt showing a soccer ball surrounded by a rainbow.

The renowned author and former Sports Illustrated reporter, highly regarded for his work in American soccer, was eventually let into the match after a harrowing ordeal where he claims he was verbally abused by security staff and had his phone ripped from his hand.

Wahl’s brother Eric announced the tragic news in a heartbreaking video where he stated he believes the journalist’s death was not accidental.

“My name is Eric Wahl. I live in Seattle, Washington. I am Grant Wahl’s brother. I’m gay,” he said in an Instagram video.

Although an official cause of death has not been shared, Wahl wrote that he had been suffering from a “severe” illness that required him to visit a medical clinic in Qatar. 

By Rishabh

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