U.S. soccer journalist Grant Wahl dies while covering World Cup match in Qatar

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Longtime U.S. soccer journalist Grant Wahl has died while covering a World Cup match in Qatar.

U.S. media seated near him said Wahl fell back in his seat in the media tribune at Lusail Iconic Stadium during extra time and reporters adjacent to him called for assistance.

The reporters said emergency services workers responded very quickly. The reporters later were told that Wahl had died, according to the Associated Press.

He wrote Monday that he had visited a hospital while in Qatar and said he was given antibiotics and cough syrup for a possible case of bronchitis.

Wahl, who had ties to the Kansas City area, was 48 years old.

U.S. Soccer released a statement shortly after Wahl's death.

Wahl's wife, Céline Gounder, said she was in "complete shock" from the news.

Sporting KC called Wahl, who was born in Mission, Kansas, "much more than just a journalist to many."

Sporting KC Head Coach Peter Vermes also released a statement on the death of Wahl.

Wahl was covering his eighth World Cup and had been detained while trying to enter a World Cup match less than three weeks before his death.

KSHB 41 Sports reporter Aaron Ladd interviewed Wahl back in June before Kansas City was named as one of the host cities for the 2026 World Cup.

"This city has gone basically night and day from being a city where soccer wasn't working out very well in the early MLS days to completely different," Wahl said. "This is a soccer city."

Wahl went to high school at Shawnee Mission East along with KC Current owners Angie and Chris Long. Both were "devastated" by the news of his death and credited Wahl for being their first call for advice.

Wahl toured the team's facility before it officially opened on June 21.

The Current was "absolutely gutted" by his death and called him "a very special friend" to their organization.

Wahl was described a "champion" of Kansas City by Kathy Nelson, president and CEO for the Greater Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation.

Brendan Hunt, the actor who plays Coach Beard on 'Ted Lasso,' shared his pain on the passing of Wahl.

Wahl graduated from Princeton University in 1996 and started working for Sports Illustrated shortly thereafter.

Wahl also worked for Fox Sports from 2012-19.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

—