New Delhi: Prominent US football journalist Grant Wahl, died on Friday while covering the tournament in Doha at the age of 48. According to news agency Reuters, he is said to have collapsed while covering the Argentina-Netherlands game and was taken to a hospital.
It was unclear where he died, the report mentioned.
The journalist was outspoken in his opposition to Qatar hosting the World Cup, his brother Eric Wahl said that he suspected "he was killed" as notably, Grant Wahl was denied entry to the United States' first game in Qatar vs Wales on November 21 because he was wearing a rainbow T-shirt.
The rainbow as a symbol represents support for the LGBTQ community, and homosexuality is illegal in Qatar. Grant Wahl agreed to change shirts and was later allowed to be at the game.
Eric Wahl posted a video on Instagram on Friday where he said, "My name is Eric Wahl. I live in Seattle, Washington. I am Grant Wahl's brother. I'm gay. I'm the reason he wore the rainbow shirt to the World Cup. My brother was healthy. He told me he received death threats. I do not believe my brother just died. I believe he was killed. And I just beg for any help."
He added that the journalist's wife, infectious disease physician Celine R Gounder, was in contact with the White House.
Gounder tweeted Friday night, "I am so thankful for the support of my husband @GrantWahl's soccer family & of so many friends who've reached out tonight. I'm in complete shock."
Grant Wahl was with Sports Illustrated for a long time before he became an independent journalist in the past few years and selling subscriptions to his website, where he covered worldwide soccer with an extra emphasis on the US national teams and leagues.
He previously also contributed to Fox Sports' soccer coverage.
US Soccer posted a statement on Twitter that read, "The entire US Soccer family is heartbroken to learn that we have lost Grant Wahl. Fans of soccer and journalism of the highest quality knew we could always count on Grant to deliver insightful and entertaining stories about our game, and its major protagonists: teams, players, coaches and the many personalities that make soccer unlike any sport."
The National Women's Soccer League also issued a statement mourning the demise, "We are heartbroken by the news of Grant Wahl's death. His commitment to sharing the stories of our beautiful game was unmatched, but more importantly, his integrity, thoughtfulness and kindness were central to the way he lived."