Photo Courtesy of @GrantWahl on Twitter
A World Cup in Qatar that was already rife with controversy amidst the backdrop of human rights abuses took another dark, and incredibly sad turn on this past Friday night. Grant Wahl, one of the most prominent soccer journalists in the United States, and in the world, unexpectedly passed away at the age of 49 while covering a quarterfinal match between Argentina and the Netherlands. The news was first reported by NPR, later confirmed by Wahl’s wife and brother.
Not much is known about the circumstances of his passing, but witnesses in the press box at Lusail Stadium described Wahl suddenly collapsing, appearing to be suffering from a heart attack. Wahl was then rushed to a local hospital, where he later passed. Apparently, there wasn’t an available emergency vehicle, and he was taken to the hospital via Uber.
The reaction across the sports world as the news broke on Friday night was an overwhelming mixture of shock, sadness, anger, and suspicion of the Qatari organizers of the tournament. The incredible outpouring of condolences from writers, former co-workers, and even the likes of LeBron James demonstrated how beloved and admired Wahl was within the world of sports media, for his incredible work, his humanity, and his bravery.
Many within the sports world have expressed suspicion and anger towards Qatar around the circumstances of Wahl’s death, calling for his body to be returned to the United States and for a full autopsy to be conducted. Wahl’s coverage of the tournament had drawn global attention, challenging the Qatari regime and organizers on the blatant and well-publicized human rights abuses in Qatar during the build up to the tournament, and Qatar’s strict anti-LGBTQ+ laws. This has stood in stark contrast to FOX Sports’ coverage, the primary source of coverage between the US and Qatar, as its leading pundit Alexi Lalas and company have essentially just pedaled whatever official Qatari state approved propaganda they’ve been given.
While covering the United States’ opening group stage match against Wales, Wahl attempted to enter Al Bayt Stadium wearing a shirt with a rainbow on it, in support of the LGBTQ+ community. Wahl was told he had to remove the shirt by tournament officials before he could enter the stadium and was then detained for half an hour before being allowed to enter the stadium. He documented this experience on his Twitter feed, which caught the attention of news broadcasters around the world. Wahl’s final article, published a day before he passed, was an investigative piece on a migrant stadium worker who had died under mysterious circumstances during the tournament, joining the thousands of workers who died building the stadiums in the decade leading up to the tournament.
It is not yet known whether or not Wahl’s death was truly of natural causes, but the timing does feel far too convenient on Qatar’s part, a state that, like many of its Middle Eastern autocratic neighbors, has a history of silencing criticism and opposition. Wahl’s brother, who is gay, posted a video shortly after the news of Grant’s passing broke. In tears, he said that he was the reason that his brother had worn the rainbow shirt to the USA/Wales match and stated that his brother was in incredible health in the build up to the tournament, despite recently falling ill alongside lots of supporters and journalists in Qatar. He strongly concluded that he didn’t believe his brother had “just died,” clearly stating that he suspected foul play on Qatar’s part.
Whatever the circumstances of Wahl’s untimely death were, this tragedy is another dark chapter in a bloody World Cup. Whether or not foul play was involved, why wasn’t there the adequate medical equipment and personnel on hand to rush Wahl to the hospital? Nobody suffering a heart attack should need to Uber to the hospital. Qatar spent the years leading up to the World Cup bragging about their state of the art infrastructure that was being constructed, and how everything would run smoothly. If there was indeed foul play involved, which many, including Wahl’s brother, suspect, then there is blood on the hands of FIFA President Gianni Infantino (who looks more and more ridiculous with each embarrassing press conference defending Qatar), on Qatar itself, and on all of the FIFA members who took bribes to give a World Cup to an autocratic, oppressive Middle Eastern state.
Rest in peace, Grant Wahl. Thank you for being a role model for sports journalists everywhere. You will be missed.
