Grant Wahl, a former senior writer for Sports Illustrated, died on Friday in Qatar while covering the 2022 World Cup. He was 48 years old.
Wahl is survived by his wife Dr. Céline Gounder and two dogs, Zizou (named after French soccer legend Zinedine Zidane) and Coco, who readers have come to know through Wahl’s coverage of the sport over the years.
In a joint statement, Sports Illustrated editors-in-chief Ryan Hunt and Stephen Cannella said: “We are shocked and devastated by the news of Grant’s death. We have been proud to call him a colleague and friend for two decades – no reporter in the SI story she was so passionate about the sport she loved and the stories she wanted to tell. Our thoughts are with Celine and her family and everyone who loved her work. She will always be a part of the Sports Illustrated family.”
Grant Wahl was one of the most famous football reporters
Wahl spent 24 years at Sports Illustrated, starting in November 1996. Two years later, a budding reporter, he volunteered to cover a growing sport that interested few in the Sports Illustrated offices: soccer. He reported on the World Cup in France in the summer of 1998 and quickly worked his way up to become a seasoned author. Eventually he became one of the most respected football connoisseurs in the world.
Wahl specialized in international reporting and has steadily expanded his love, knowledge and respect for football. Prior to his journalism career, he spent a summer in Argentina studying the political culture of soccer teams as part of his graduate work at Princeton University.
Shocking: FIFA announces the death of journalist Grant Wahl. There was a call from an emergency doctor in our line last night during overtime. But I didn’t know who it was.
Met Grant Wahl here a few times. It was the one in the rainbow shirt.— Gunter Klein (@guek62) December 10, 2022
Wahl has also worked with Fox Sports as an on-air pundit and has written three books on soccer: The Beckham Experiment, Masters of Modern Soccer and Football 2.0.
After leaving Sports Illustrated in 2020, he started his own channel ‘Fútbol with Grant Wahl’ to share his football coverage and worked at Meadowlark Media. He was also a producer on the documentaries Good Rivals on Prime Video.
Grant Wahl wanted to be president of FIFA
A world traveler with a passion for spreading soccer in the United States, he also campaigned to be president of FIFA in 2011.
His wife Dr. Gounder released a statement on Twitter following his death. “I am so grateful for the support of my husband Grant Wahl’s football family and many friends who have reached out to me tonight. I am in complete shock.”
US Soccer said, “The entire US soccer family is heartbroken to learn of the passing of Grant Wahl. Soccer fans and journalists alike knew we could always count on Grant to provide insightful and entertaining stories about our game.” and on its most important protagonists: the teams, players and coaches and the many personalities that make football different from any other sport”.
We are saddened that former Sports Illustrated senior writer Grant Wahl passed away while covering the World Cup in Qatar.
Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this tragic time. https://t.co/B9dhFPSPZq pic.twitter.com/2ydpmtguRF
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) December 10, 2022
“Grant has made soccer his life’s work and we are devastated that he and his brilliant writing will no longer be featured in the US media. We thank Grant for his tremendous dedication and impact on our game in the United States. We will always cherish his lyrics and the stories he told,” US Soccer said.
The US Soccer Association mourns Grant’s election
“We are saddened to hear of the passing of Grant Wahl,” the NWSL said in a statement. “His dedication to sharing the stories of our beautiful game has been second to none. But more importantly, his integrity, thoughtfulness and kindness have been central to his way of life. Our sincere condolences go out to Grant’s family and those close to him at this indescribably sad time.”
MLS commissioner Don Garber also released a statement following the news on Friday. “We are shocked, saddened and saddened by the tragic death of Grant Wahl. He was a kind and thoughtful individual whose passion for football and dedication to journalism was immeasurable. For more than two decades, Grant has been an important member of the football community and we He will be greatly missed. Our deepest condolences go out to his wife Celine, his family and loved ones.”
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The 2022 World Cup will take place in Qatar from November 20 to December 18, 2022. Germany with national coach Hansi Flick is hoping for the semi-finals or final of the World Cup. France is the defending champion. Here you can find all matches, fixtures and results.
FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar: here’s how you can follow the tournament live on TV and in live streaming from 20 November to 18 December 2022. Who will win the World Cup trophy? Can France defend their title? How is the German national team doing?
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar is a disaster for German television. This is demonstrated by the number of spectators at the tournament. The boycott and disinterest lead ARD and ZDF to drastic drops in TV ratings, while FIFA records paradoxical records.
