American journalist dies while covering the World Cup in Qatar

American journalist Grant Wahl has died after collapsing while covering the Netherlands vs Argentina match on Friday.

American Journalist Grant Wahl, who was covering the World Cup in Qatar, had died suddenly. Photos: Getty via AFP/Instagram

American journalist Grant Wahl has died after collapsing while covering the Netherlands vs Argentina match on Friday.

The 48-year-old veteran journalist had been suffering from a minor cold but the cause of death is yet to be determined.

American journalist dies while covering the World Cup

He is reported to have fallen ill while in the press area, organisers say that he received immediate medical care.

A spokesperson for the Supreme Court Committee for Delivery and Legacy said that he was transferred Hamad General Hospital where the American journalist was pronounced dead.

“He received immediate emergency medical treatment on site, which continued as he was transferred by ambulance to Hamad General Hospital,” the World Cup organizing committee said in a statement, which did not list a cause of death. “We are in touch with the US Embassy and relevant local authorities to ensure the process of repatriating the body is in accordance with the family’s wishes.”

Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022 — Activists hold boards reading in German (L) “shooting at queer hate” during a symbolic action by LGBT+ associations in front of the FIFA museum in Zurich on November 8, 2022, to call FIFA to defend the rights of the LGBT+ community ahead of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup football tournament that will start on November 20. Photo: AFP)

There have been outpourings of shock and grief from the US soccer family.

“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.”

A breakdown

Wahl had indicated in a social media post that he hadn’t been feeling well and had sought medical treatment.

“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 according to ESPN. “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.”

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