Grant Wahl

Grant Wahl, a prominent U.S. soccer writer, died early Saturday while covering the World Cup match between Argentina and the Netherlands.

He spent a lot of time in my hometown of Akron," James said in Philadelphia after the Los Angeles Lakers lost in overtime to the 76ers. "His love for football was immense and his reporting will be missed by all who follow the global game." Among Wahl's work at Sports Illustrated was the famous "The Chosen One" cover story about LeBron James in 2002, when James was a junior at St. He will always be part of the SI family." "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. "He was always pretty cool to be around. Soccer also [released a statement](https://twitter.com/ussoccer/status/1601401947692863489) Friday night, saying they were "heartbroken" to learn of Wahl's death. "Any time his name would come up, I'll always think back to me as a teenager having Grant in our building down at St. [@USMNT], we offer our deepest sympathy to [@celinegounder]& all those who mourn the loss of Grant Wahl. A 1996 graduate of Princeton, Wahl worked for Sports Illustrated from 1996 to 2021, known primarily for his coverage of soccer and college basketball. [tweeted Friday night](https://twitter.com/celinegounder/status/1601404727014879232?s=20&t=BTVwdfzmYm5gpMIaLlliww) that she was in "complete shock" and thanked everyone for their support of her husband. Emergency services workers responded very quickly, the reporters said, and they were later told that Wahl had died.

Prominent soccer journalist Grant Wahl died while covering the World Cup in Qatar, just days after his 48th birthday.

"I kept trying to secure that nomination right up until the last day before the deadline. "I remember telling my friends in high school that I wanted to write for Sports Illustrated someday." The team was coached by Bob Bradley, who went on to coach in Major League Soccer and for the United States men's national team. Here in the United States Grant's passion for soccer and commitment to elevating its profile across our sporting landscape played a major role in helping to drive interest in and respect for our beautiful game." It's unfortunate to lose someone as great as he was." "The entire US soccer family is heartbroken to learn that we have lost Grant," the statement read. His writing and the stories he told will live on." media seated near him said Wahl fell back in his seat in a section of Lusail Iconic Stadium reserved for journalists during extra time of the game, and reporters adjacent to him called for assistance. "We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken over the tragic passing of Grant Wahl. “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. “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. Emergency services workers responded very quickly, the reporters said, and the reporters later were told that Wahl had died.

A prominent football journalist from the United States has died while covering the World Cup in Qatar. Grant Wahl, 48, collapsed suddenly while watching the ...

"He fell ill in the Lusail Stadium media tribune, during last night's quarter-final match between Argentina v Netherlands. "Anyone who met Grant was immediately enthused by him," he said. "My body finally broke down on me," he wrote. "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." "Grant was known for his enormous love of football and was in Qatar to cover his eighth Fifa World Cup. [wrote on his website](https://grantwahl.substack.com/p/world-cup-daily-day-22) on Monday that he had been unwell in the last 10 days and was on a course of antibiotics for suspected bronchitis.

Grant Wahl, one of the most esteemed American sports journalists, died on Friday while covering the Argentina-Netherlands game at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in ...

[unfortunate death of Grant Wahl](https://www.marca.com/en/lifestyle/us-news/2022/12/10/6393fbe7e2704e6c9c8b459e.html). [Grant Wahl dead after collapsing at Qatar World Cup, brother says he was killed](https://www.marca.com/en/lifestyle/us-news/2022/12/10/6393fbe7e2704e6c9c8b459e.html) [Who did Lionel Messi shout at during interview after Argentina defeated Netherlands?](https://www.marca.com/en/world-cup/2022/12/10/6393c08c22601d56778b45c9.html)

Well-known U.S. soccer journalist Grant Wahl died on Friday after suffering "acute distress" while covering a match at the World Cup in Qatar, ...

“We are in touch with the U.S. “He was a true advocate for both the men’s and women’s games and really just cared deeply about the sport. He was empathetic and just truly a brilliant writer.” Soccer statement on Twitter, saying she was “ [in complete shock](https://bit.ly/3W5JMG5)“. [said](https://bit.ly/3UMrSqH) it was “heartbroken to learn” of Wahl’s death. U.S.

American sportswriter Grant Wahl has died while covering the quarter-final between the Netherlands and Argentina at the World Cup in Qatar.

I'm in complete shock." He was also known as an author, having written the book 'The Beckham Experiment', about David Beckham's arrival in MLS in 2007. Various reports state he had a medical emergency during extra-time in the match and required CPR.

Grant Wahl, a prominent US soccer writer, died early Saturday while covering the World Cup match between Argentina and the Netherlands.

He spent a lot of time in my hometown of Akron," James said in Philadelphia after the Los Angeles Lakers lost in overtime to the 76ers. "His love for football was immense and his reporting will be missed by all who follow the global game." Among Wahl's work at Sports Illustrated was the famous "The Chosen One" cover story about LeBron James in 2002, when James was a junior at St. He will always be part of the SI family." "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. "He was always pretty cool to be around. Soccer also [released a statement](https://twitter.com/ussoccer/status/1601401947692863489) Friday night, saying they were "heartbroken" to learn of Wahl's death. "Any time his name would come up, I'll always think back to me as a teenager having Grant in our building down at St. [@USMNT], we offer our deepest sympathy to [@celinegounder]& all those who mourn the loss of Grant Wahl. A 1996 graduate of Princeton, Wahl worked for Sports Illustrated from 1996 to 2021, known primarily for his coverage of soccer and college basketball. [tweeted Friday night](https://twitter.com/celinegounder/status/1601404727014879232?s=20&t=BTVwdfzmYm5gpMIaLlliww) that she was in "complete shock" and thanked everyone for their support of her husband. Emergency services workers responded very quickly, the reporters said, and they were later told that Wahl had died.

Well-known US soccer journalist Grant Wahl died on Friday after suffering "acute distress" while covering a match at the World Cup in Qatar, his agent said.

Wahl said in late November he was briefly detained when he tried to enter a World Cup stadium in Qatar while wearing a rainbow shirt in support of the LGBTQ community in a country where same-sex relations are illegal. He was empathetic and just truly a brilliant writer.” “He was a true advocate for both the men's and women's games and really just cared deeply about the sport.

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

Grant was the first person who really paid genuine attention to this sport in a meaningful way,” Wittyngham said. He said security staff had told him to change his shirt because “it’s not allowed,” and had taken his phone. “I’ve always kind of watched from a distance even when I moved up in ranks and became a professional, and he went to a different sport,” said James, speaking at a postgame press conference. “Any time his name would come up I’ll always think back to me as a teenager and having Grant in our building … I’ve done eight of these on the men’s side,” he said at the time. He’d had a cold for 10 days, which “turned into something more severe,” he wrote, adding that he felt better after receiving antibiotics and catching up on sleep. US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said the department was in “close communication” with Wahl’s family. It added that Wahl had first joined the publication in November 1996. Feeling pretty hairy, bad,” Wahl told co-host Chris Wittyngham in the episode. I’m in complete shock,” wrote Gounder, a former CNN contributor who served on the Biden-Harris transition Covid-19 advisory board. 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,” Radnedge said. “This was towards the end of extra time in the match.

News of Granft Wahl's death at the World Cup in Qatar triggered an outpouring of emotion, a sign of his role in promoting the sport - both amateur and ...

He remained at the magazine until 2020, joining CBS Sports a year later. Paramedics performed CPR at the scene before taking him away on a stretcher. U.S. But still: No bueno." "My body finally broke down on me. According to NPR, Wahl collapsed in the press tribune as Friday's Argentina-Netherlands match was winding down.

U.S. media seated near him said Wahl fell back in his seat in a section of Lusail Stadium reserved for journalists during extra time of the game, and reporters ...

The death of prominent journalist Grant Wahl at the World Cup in Qatar has led to an outpouring of shock and grief across the sports world, with NBA star ...

He said security staff had told him to change his shirt because “it’s not allowed,” and had taken his phone. I’ve done eight of these on the men’s side,” he said at the time. US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said the department was in “close communication” with Wahl’s family. He’d had a cold for 10 days, which “turned into something more severe,” he wrote, adding that he felt better after receiving antibiotics and catching up on sleep. Grant was the first person who really paid genuine attention to this sport in a meaningful way,” Wittyngham said. Feeling pretty hairy, bad,” Wahl told co-host Chris Wittyngham in the episode. I’m in complete shock,” wrote Gounder, a former CNN contributor who served on the Biden-Harris transition Covid-19 advisory board. State Department officials are in touch with Grant’s family and with senior officials in the government of Qatar to ensure his family gets the support they need,” Jean-Pierre wrote on Twitter. 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,” Radnedge said. “This was towards the end of extra time in the match. “I’ve always kind of watched from a distance even when I moved up in ranks and became a professional, and he went to a different sport,” said James, speaking at a postgame press conference. “Any time his name would come up I’ll always think back to me as a teenager and having Grant in our building …

LUSAIL, Qatar (AP) — Grant Wahl, one of the most well-known soccer writers in the United States, died early Saturday while covering the World Cup match ...

“You come to a World Cup as a journalist to work, to share the stresses, the pressures but also the enjoyments and the fascination of it — and to share that with your readers, your listeners, your viewers. He spent a lot of time in my hometown of Akron,” James said in Philadelphia after the Los Angeles Lakers lost in overtime to the 76ers. “There was never any doubt that Grant was on the side of the good guys in wanting soccer to make the best of itself.” Wahl also worked for Fox Sports from 2012-19 and was hired by CBS Sports in 2021 as an analyst and editorial consultant. He then launched his own website, Fútbol with Grant Wahl, and a podcast with Meadowlark Media. 21](https://grantwahl.substack.com/p/an-unexpected-detention-by-world) and wrote that security refused him entry and told him to remove the shirt. [a Sports Illustrated cover story](https://vault.si.com/vault/2002/02/18/ahead-of-his-class-ohio-high-school-junior-lebron-james-is-so-good-that-hes-already-being-mentioned-as-the-heir-to-air-jordan) about LeBron James in 2002, when James was a junior at St. “We could always count on Grant to deliver insightful and entertaining stories about our game, and its major protagonists,” the U.S. Wahl, who wrote for Sports Illustrated for more than two decades and then started his own website, was a major voice informing an American public of soccer during time of increased interest after the U.S. and reported on some of the biggest stories in the sport, died Saturday while covering a World Cup match between Argentina and the Netherlands. The World Cup organizing committee said he was taken to Doha's Hamad General Hospital, but it did not state a cause of death. Wahl attempted to run for FIFA president against Sepp Blatter and Mohamed bin Hammam in 2011.

The death of prominent journalist Grant Wahl at the World Cup in Qatar has led to an outpouring of shock and grief across the sports world, with NBA star ...

He said security staff had told him to change his shirt because “it’s not allowed,” and had taken his phone. I’ve done eight of these on the men’s side,” he said at the time. US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said the department was in “close communication” with Wahl’s family. He’d had a cold for 10 days, which “turned into something more severe,” he wrote, adding that he felt better after receiving antibiotics and catching up on sleep. Grant was the first person who really paid genuine attention to this sport in a meaningful way,” Wittyngham said. Feeling pretty hairy, bad,” Wahl told co-host Chris Wittyngham in the episode. I’m in complete shock,” wrote Gounder, a former CNN contributor who served on the Biden-Harris transition Covid-19 advisory board. State Department officials are in touch with Grant’s family and with senior officials in the government of Qatar to ensure his family gets the support they need,” Jean-Pierre wrote on Twitter. 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,” Radnedge said. “This was towards the end of extra time in the match. “I’ve always kind of watched from a distance even when I moved up in ranks and became a professional, and he went to a different sport,” said James, speaking at a postgame press conference. “Any time his name would come up I’ll always think back to me as a teenager and having Grant in our building …

LUSAIL, Qatar — (AP) — Grant Wahl, an American journalist who helped grow the popularity of soccer in the U.S. and reported on some of the biggest stories ...

Grant Wahl, 48, died after collapsing in the media center at Lusail Iconic Stadium during the Netherlands-Argentina match.

“Even when I moved up the ranks and became a professional and he kind of went to a different sport and things of that nature over the years, anytime his name would come up I would always think back to me as a teenager and having Grant in our building down at [St. It’s unfortunate to lose someone as great as he was and I wish his family, like I said, the best. "I can only imagine how hard this must be for his wife Celine, his immediate family, and those who had the good fortune to work and play with him on a daily basis. "He is one of the best humans and writers that I have ever known," she told USA TODAY Sports. "As important, Grant's belief in the power of the game to advance human rights was, and will remain, an inspiration to all. Grant Wahl never shied away from asking the tough questions, the right questions, the ones that got to the heart of the matter. Wahl had written that he had not being feeling well in the days preceding his death, saying in part: “I could feel my upper chest take on a new level of pressure and discomfort." "We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken over the tragic passing of Grant Wahl. media seated near him said Wahl fell back in his seat in a section of Lusail Iconic Stadium reserved for journalists during extra time of the game between Argentina and the Netherlands, and reporters adjacent to him called for assistance. [his contribution to reporting on eight consecutive FIFA World Cups](https://twitter.com/GrantWahl/status/1599925751083433984?s=20&t=-94NLU77zW3c3UYX75Arwg), and his career also included attendance at several FIFA Women's World Cups, as well as a host of other international sporting events. “He received immediate emergency medical treatment on site, which continued as he was transferred by ambulance Hamad General Hospital,” the World Cup organizing committee said in a statement, which did not list a cause of death. He spent 24 years with Sports Illustrated, joining the magazine after he graduated from Princeton in 1996, where he wrote about soccer and college basketball, most prominently.

Leading American sports reporter Grant Wahl, who last month had a run-in with Qatar's World Cup organisers over a rainbow LGBTQ shirt, died while covering a ...

He remained at the magazine until 2020, joining CBS Sports a year later. But still: No bueno." "My body finally broke down on me. A bouquet of white flowers were placed on what would have been Wahl's press seat at Al Bayt Stadium for Saturday's quarter-final between France and England. many personalities that make soccer unlike any sport." Wahl said on his subscription newsletter earlier this week that he'd gone to a clinic at the media center in Qatar, "and they said I probably have bronchitis."

A prolific journalist, Wahl wrote for multiple outlets and was a CBS Sports contributor.

"Through his work, Grant shared his love of football with millions," the stadium's public address announcer said in a statement. He was a kind and caring person whose passion for soccer and dedication to journalism were immeasurable." He was an analyst on CBS Sports HQ throughout the Qatar World Cup, and wrote guest columns focused on the U.S. Ned Price, a spokesperson for the U.S. "He had just been recognized for his eighth World Cup. "The entire U.S. I basically cancelled everything on this Thursday that I had, and I napped, and I am doing slightly better. Paramedics were called to the scene, Scanlan said, but were unable to revive him. soccer family is heartbroken to learn that we have lost Grant Wahl," the U.S. You can probably tell by my voice that I am not doing 100% here." Wahl, 49, was in Qatar covering the Soccer Federation reported Friday.

A prolific journalist, Wahl wrote for multiple outlets and was a CBS Sports contributor. He was an analyst on CBS Sports HQ throughout the Qatar World Cup, and ...

[said in a statement](https://twitter.com/ussoccer/status/1601401947692863489) that the "entire U.S. "Through his work, Grant shared his love of football with millions," the stadium's public address announcer said in a statement. As important, Grant's belief in the power of the game to advance human rights was, and will remain, an inspiration to all." "He was a peerless journalist and kind man whose coverage of soccer was fair ... Celine Gounder, a medical contributor for CBS News, said that she was "in complete shock" and thanked Wahl's "soccer family" and their friends for their support. "Life is fragile and there is always a reminder in there to live each moment for what it is. As players we have a tremendous amount of respect for the work of journalists, & Grant's was a giant voice in soccer that has tragically fallen silent." [LeBron James](https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/lebron-james-passes-magic-johnson-on-nbas-career-assists-list/) while he was working on a Sports Illustrated cover issue that featured James. Even when I moved up in the ranks and became a professional and he kind of went to a different sport and things of that nature over the years, anytime his name would come up I would always think back to me as a teenager and having Grant in our building down at St. A talented journalist, Grant was an advocate for the LGBTQ community & a prominent voice for women's soccer. "I'm very fond of Grant and having that cover shoot," James said, adding, "I've always kind of watched from a distance. Wahl, 49, was in the press box for the quarterfinal match between Argentina and the Netherlands when he appeared to suffer "some kind of acute distress," his agent, Tim Scanlan, told CBS News.

FIFA honored prominent soccer journalist Grant Wahl during the England-France World Cup match, joining a wave of tributes to Wahl following his death.

He was detained briefly for wearing a rainbow, pro-LGBTQ T-shirt to a match earlier in the tournament and reported extensively about human rights issues in Qatar, including the death of migrant workers who built World Cup stadiums. “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,” the World Cup organizing committee told the AP in a statement. Three weeks of little sleep, high stress and lots of work can do that to you,” Wahl wrote. The World Cup organizing committee told the Associated Press he was transported by ambulance to Doha’s Hamad General Hospital and was pronounced dead. Another tribute appeared on the stadium’s two massive scoreboards pregame, with announcements of condolences in English and Arabic. “Tonight we pay tribute to Grant Wahl at his assigned seat in Al Bayt Stadium.

Tributes pour in for Grant Wahl as FIFA honours the US sports journalist who died at the World Cup.

About 20 minutes before the match started, the photograph of Wahl was displayed on big screens in two corners of the stadium. A posy of white lilies and a framed photograph of Wahl taken in Qatar was left at the media seat that had been assigned to the 49-year-old writer who died in the early hours of Saturday. - A photograph of Wahl was displayed on big screens at a match on Saturday

It was 5 a.m and I couldn't sleep; my mind was replaying the extraordinary drama of Argentina's penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands, over and over ...

But when I think back to that interview, it featured so many of the things that many of us came to love about Grant. But he knew that the tide was now turning and attitudes are changing. Qatar wasn’t his first ‘rodeo,’ but it has been my first World Cup in person, and my body had quickly surrendered to the flight across eight time zones and the punishing schedule. We have subsequently learned that Wahl became sick during the tournament, something he says he had come to expect after covering so many World Cups in the past. He was a constant thorn in FIFA’s side, and once in Qatar he seemed to be a magnet for controversy. A couple of days later, we both attended the same Thanksgiving Lunch at the Iconic Torch Hotel, and later that night, at 1:30 a.m, he joined us live in our Doha studio. Nevertheless, many have found the smorgasbord of action to be irresistible. It was only after he’d been detained by stadium security and ordered to remove it (he refused) that he went public with the story. “He was almost a missionary in that sense, he would travel around the globe, telling people to take American soccer seriously. But there was so much depth to Grant, as he wasn’t just a reporter who wrote about wins and losses. The tributes on Saturday were so fulsome that nobody could be in any doubt about his impact. “He was selling the idea of soccer in the United States,” he said.

Grant Wahl introduced the world to teenage phenom LeBron James in a 2002 Sports Illustrated cover story. The Lakers star shared his "very fond" memories.

He was always pretty cool to be around and spent a lot of time in my hometown of Akron covering me over the course of time before that shoot came out…I've always kind of watched from a distance. Over the years, anytime his name would come up, I would always think back to me as a teenager and having Grant in our building down at Saint V. And having that cover shoot, me being a teenager and him covering that was a pretty cool thing. He was covering the World Cup Quarterfinals in Doha, Qatar. All of these expectations had been heaped upon him by the public and the question was whether or not he could actually live up to it all. The world learned about his tragic death on Friday.

Wahl, just 48, died covering a World Cup match. We should pick up his fight against soccer corruption — and take better care of ourselves.

The sportswriter’s death also comes as experts warn of a [triple pandemic ](https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/09/health/covid-influenza-rsv-vaccine-pandemic-wellness/index.html)— not just resurgent COVID but steep rises in the flu and respiratory diseases like RSV. And he knew the world game wasn’t at its very best with an amazing bicycle kick, but rather when it uses its popularity as a platform for fighting racism or homophobia, instead of allowing it to fester. Even Wahl’s brother [raised that possibility](https://decider.com/2022/12/10/u-s-journalist-grant-wahls-brother-suspects-foul-play-in-qatar-world-cup-death/) in an online posting just hours after his death. That means demanding so much more from a sport that, at its best, brings people together — yet gets needlessly dragged down by its worst, in the form of I’ve been quite moved in reading what those who had the privilege of knowing and working with Grant had to say about him — The circumstances of Wahl’s death should be investigated fully, in cooperation with the wishes of his wife and family. Obviously, his condition was far worse — amid the around-the-clock stress of covering an every-four-years event like the World Cup — than either Wahl or his doctors realized. soccer community, including a generation of journalists who considered the pioneering writer a role model who was a kind and patient mentor, and his legion of readers who were so grateful for an American who could bring their passion for the world game to life. [his piece,](https://grantwahl.substack.com/p/world-cup-daily-day-25) focusing his rage, laser-like, on the blasé response from the head of Qatar’s host committee, who’d made comments like “death is a natural part of life” and “of course a worker died” when pressed about the incident by reporters. It also cast a gigantic pall over a World Cup that was already walking a tightrope between the joy of some remarkable upsets and individual performances and disgust with the greed that had placed this beloved event in the blood-soaked hands of Qatar’s corrupt rulers. To Wahl, the episode again showed the “crassness” of a monarchy he’d already sharply criticized over its ethical failings, including [its anti-LGBTQ policies](https://grantwahl.substack.com/p/an-unexpected-detention-by-world). [a large online following](https://twitter.com/GrantWahl) wrote about an obscure Filipino migrant who died of a horrific forklift accident at Saudi Arabia’s training site in the sweltering oil dictatorship, just the latest of thousands of desperate, working poor people who died needlessly to make a World Cup happen in the desert.

Fifa has responded to a British reporter's claim that medics didn't have a defibrillator at the Doha stadium press box.

I've been to the medical centre at the clinic twice now, including today. A guard had told him his t-shirt was not allowed and he needed to change it, Wahl said at the time. “I went into the medical clinic at the main media centre today, and they said I probably have bronchitis. You can probably tell by my voice that I am not doing 100% here." Free to read: What happened when Qatar World Cup security detained me for 25 minutes for wearing a t-shirt supporting LGBTQ rights, forcibly took my phone and angrily demanded that I remove my t-shirt to enter the stadium. 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. “So I've had a case of bronchitis this week. A Fifa representative also apologised later. That was the question we kept asking each other, as the medics pumped and pumped to no avail,” Glancy wrote. Eventually a security commander arrived. [United States football journalist Grant Wahl dies while covering World Cup in Qatar](https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/world-cup/300761894/united-states-football-journalist-grant-wahl-dies-while-covering-world-cup-in-qatar?rm=a) [Memorial to American football journalist Grant Wahl placed at World Cup match](https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/world-cup/300762146/memorial-to-american-football-journalist-grant-wahl-placed-at-world-cup-match?rm=a)

Soccer journalist Grant Wahl, center, poses with Iranian soccer fans who he met at the community pool where he was housed in Qatar. (Courtesy of Guillem Balagué).

“As good as a writer as he was, I think his best professional quality was opening and holding the metaphorical door to everyone in the industry. Even to those who understand Wahl’s impact best, the outpouring of love and paeans in the wake of his death left them stunned, and awed. He opened literal doors (to his office, to his wife’s, to his kitchen table) and figurative ones (to the giant professional life he led). women’s national team and refused to turn a blind eye to the [government-sanctioned homophobia](https://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/story/2022-11-23/world-cup-notes-23) of the 2022 World Cup host country, where he was [briefly detained](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/nov/21/us-journalist-grant-wahl-says-he-was-detained-in-qatar-for-rainbow-shirt) by security for wearing a rainbow shirt in support of the LGBTQ+ community. “What had been a cold over the last 10 days turned into something more severe on the night of the USA-Netherlands, and I could feel my upper chest take on a new level of pressure and discomfort. He was later released with an apology from FIFA, the same organization whose presidency he had run for in a more-serious-than-you-think candidacy [in 2011](https://www.si.com/soccer/2011/04/01/fifa-candidacy). [Morgan, Rapinoe, Wambach](https://www.si.com/soccer/2015/07/13/uswnt-sports-illustrated-cover-2015-world-cup)), coaxed private audiences out of some of the planet’s most reclusive stars ( [Messi](https://www.si.com/longform/2016/lionel-messi-copa-america-argentina-barcelona/), Neymar, Ronaldo and [Balotelli](https://vault.si.com/vault/2013/08/26/molto-molto-mario)) and led a life of globe-trotting freedom, adventure and pleasure that was Bourdain-like. He had fallen ill shortly after arriving in Qatar in mid-November, first developing cold-like symptoms that curdled into something more ominous in the first days of December. With the assistance of his editors, Mark Mravic and Adam Duerson, and fellow soccer writer George Dohrmann, Wahl convinced SI’s editor-in-chief, Terry McDonnell, to take the leap and invest, steeply, in a sport that had been routinely dismissed by SI (and countless others). Not long after covering the 2009 NCAA men’s basketball championship, and ahead of the 2010 men’s World Cup in South Africa, Wahl trained his ambition on a more narrow, and risky, path: soccer and soccer only. Over the next decade, however, Wahl became the definitive chronicler of the sport in North America, a world traveler who applied rigor, depth and passion, without being pedantic or precious, to his coverage. The idea wasn’t to bring together a collection of the familiar, but to gather a group of co-workers who might know little about the others, if they knew anything at all.

It was 5 a.m and I couldn't sleep; my mind was replaying the extraordinary drama of Argentina's penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands, over and over ...