American sports journalist Grant Wahl died while on duty in Qatar on Saturday during the Argentina-Netherlands.
Wahl collapsed and died while covering the game moments after falling ill in the press area where he was given immediate medical attention before being transferred to Hamad General Hospital, said a spokesperson for the Supreme Court Committee for Delivery and Legacy.
“This was towards the end of extra time in the match. Suddenly, colleagues up to my left started shouting for medical assistance. Obviously, someone had collapsed. Because the chairs are freestanding, people were able to move the chairs, so it’s possible to create a little bit of space around him,” said Keir Radnedge, a columnist at World Soccer Magazine.
It’s not clear what killed the prominent journalists but six days ago, in an episode of the podcast Futbol with Grant Wahl, he had complained of feeling unwell.
“It had gotten pretty bad in terms of like the tightness in my chest, tightness, pressure. Feeling pretty hairy, bad,” Wahl told co-host Chris Wittyngham in the episode. He added that he sought help at the medical clinic at the World Cup media center, believing he had bronchitis.
Just now: Security guard refusing to let me into the stadium for USA-Wales. “You have to change your shirt. It’s not allowed.” pic.twitter.com/TvSGThMYq8
— Subscribe to GrantWahl.com (@GrantWahl) November 21, 2022
He was given cough syrup and ibuprofen, and felt better shortly afterward, he said.
Wahl also said he experienced an “involuntary capitulation by my body and mind” after the US-Netherlands game on December 3.
