Grant Wahl death: FIFA President Gianni Infantino expresses condolences

Grant Wahl, a prominent football journalist from the United States has died while covering the World Cup in Qatar. He collapsed as extra time began in the Argentina-Netherlands game on Friday night. According to
early reports, he may have had a heart attack, but this has yet to be
officially confirmed.

Last month, the 48-year-old was briefly detained by Qatar
authorities for trying to enter a stadium wearing a rainbow shirt, in support
of LGBT rights.

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FIFA President Gianni Infantino has expressed his
condolences to the family and friends of Grant Wahl after getting the news of
his passing while reporting at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in Doha.

“It is with disbelief and immense sadness that I have
been made aware of the passing of renowned sports journalist Grant Wahl, whilst
reporting on a quarter-final match during the FIFA World Cup in Qatar,”
the FIFA President said.

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“Only some days ago, Grant was recognized by FIFA and
AIPS for his contribution to reporting on eight consecutive FIFA World Cups,
and his career also included attendance at several FIFA Women’s World Cups, as
well as a host of other international sporting events. His love for football
was immense and his reporting will be missed by all who follow the global
game,” he added.

“On behalf of FIFA and the football community, we express
our sincerest condolences to his wife Céline, his family, and his friends at
this most difficult time,” the president said.

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A day before he died, Grant Wahl has a party in Qatar on
Thursday to commemorate his 48th birthday. Wahl first reported on the FIFA
World Cup in the United States in 1994 and had reported on every subsequent
tournament. Recently, he was honored at a joint FIFA-AIPS Journalists on Podium
event in Podium, where he received an award from a two-time World Cup champion,
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo.