Soccer journalist Grant Wahl’s body returned to U.S. after he died covering World Cup | CBC Sports

The physique and possessions of soccer journalist Grant Wahl have been repatriated to the United States on Monday after his demise final week whereas overlaying the World Cup in Qatar, a senior State Department official stated.

The official stated Wahl’s stays and his belongings arrived at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport round 8:30 a.m. ET. They have been accompanied by a consular official from the U.S. Embassy in Doha who had had custody of Wahl’s stays since shortly after he collapsed throughout Friday’s match between Argentina and the Netherlands and later died.

The official, who spoke on situation of anonymity due to privateness considerations, had no extra particulars however stated the embassy in Qatar had been working with Wahl’s household to make sure the repatriation went easily.

Wahl, an American journalist who helped develop the recognition of soccer within the United States and reported on a few of the greatest tales within the sport, was 49.

Tributes to Wahl have poured in since his demise and on Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken added his voice to the refrain of appreciation.

“I so appreciated Grant Wahl, whose writing captured not only the essence of the beautiful game but also the world around it,” Blinken wrote on Twitter about an hour after the repatriation was full.

“I send my deepest condolences to his family and thank our embassy team and Qatari partners who worked together so effectively to fulfill their wishes,” Blinken wrote.

Wahl, who had complained of respiratory issues earlier within the week and had been handled for a attainable case of bronchitis, fell again in his seat in a bit of Lusail Stadium reserved for journalists throughout further time of the sport, and reporters adjoining to him known as for help.

Emergency providers employees responded in a short time, handled him for 20 or half-hour on website after which took him out on a stretcher. The World Cup organizing committee stated he was taken to Doha’s Hamad General Hospital, but it surely didn’t state a explanation for demise.

Wahl wrote for Sports Illustrated for greater than 20 years after which began his personal web site. He was a serious voice informing an American public of soccer throughout a time of elevated curiosity after the United States hosted the 1994 World Cup.

He additionally introduced a essential eye to the worldwide organizing our bodies of the game.