A U.S. soccer journalist died after collapsing during a World Cup match, and days later a second journalist has lost his life while covering the global event.
The Doha-based Gulf Times reports Khalid al-Misslam, a photojournalist for local sports outlet Al Kass TV, passed away on Saturday.
“Al-Misslam, a Qatari, died suddenly while covering the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. We believe in Allah’s mercy and forgiveness for him, and send our deepest condolences to his family,” the Gulf Times wrote on Twitter.
The details surrounding al-Misslam’s death are unclear.
Grant Wahl, an American who’s written for CBS Sports and Sports Illustrated, died in Qatar after collapsing during the Argentina-Netherlands match. Wahl was 48.
Keir Radnedge, a columnist at World Soccer magazine, told CNN Saturday that Wahl was treated in the stadium “for about 20-25 minutes” before he was transported to a local hospital.
“This was towards the end of extra time in the match. Suddenly, colleagues up to my left started shouting for medical assistance. Obviously, someone had collapsed. 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.
The U.S. Soccer Federation confirmed the news in a statement on Twitter.
“The entire U.S. soccer family is heartbroken to learn that we have lost Grant Wahl,” the statement read. “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.”
