Two Journalists Suddenly Die in One Day at Qatar World Cup... 2 in Total

Specific Cause of Death Unknown
Bereaved Family Questions Sudden Death

On the 10th, photos and writings commemorating journalist Grant Wall were displayed at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, during the World Cup quarterfinal match. Photo by AP Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Park] A Qatari photographer covering the 2022 Qatar World Cup has died. This news came less than a day after an American sports journalist collapsed and died while reporting.

On the 11th (local time), Qatar's Al Kass TV announced that their photographer Khalid Al Mislam died while covering an event during a live broadcast the previous day. However, the specific cause and circumstances of his death have not been disclosed.

Al Kass TV expressed condolences on Twitter, stating, "Al Kass Channel mourns the death of our creative department's photographer Khalid Al Mislam." The local media outlet Gulf Times also reported, "Mislam suddenly passed away while covering the World Cup," adding, "We extend our deepest condolences to him and his family."

The news of Mislam's death came just hours after American journalist Grant Wahl collapsed and died while covering the tournament. Wahl suddenly experienced severe pain and collapsed during the quarterfinal match between Argentina and the Netherlands at Lusail Stadium in Qatar. Despite 20 minutes of emergency treatment and being transported to a hospital, he ultimately passed away.

The cause of Wahl's death has not been revealed, but it is known that he had been in poor health due to the intense workload covering the World Cup. On the 8th, Wahl posted on his social media, "I feel like my body is breaking down. I have barely slept for three weeks and have been under severe stress. There is strong pressure and discomfort in the upper part of my chest."

However, Wahl's family has raised questions about his sudden death. His brother, Eric Wahl, posted a video on social media claiming, "Our brother was healthy. He told me he was receiving death threats. We believe he was not just dying naturally but was murdered." Wahl had been critical of Qatar's government for its oppression of sexual minorities. Early in the World Cup, he was even stopped from entering the stadium wearing a rainbow T-shirt supporting sexual minorities.