“The entire U.S. Soccer family is heartbroken to learn of the loss of Grant Wall,” U.S. Soccer wrote in a statement. “Fans of high-quality soccer and journalism know we can always count on Grant to deliver insightful and entertaining stories about our game and its main characters: the teams, players, coaches and the many personalities that make soccer unlike any other.”
Wall, 48, had written about some of his health problems in Qatar in the days leading up to his disappearance. Earlier this week, she wrote: “My body finally broke down on me. Three weeks of little sleep, high stress and lots of work can do that to you.
He said he was very cold at night The USA played the Netherlands. “I could feel my upper chest taking on a new level of pressure and discomfort,” she wrote.
In one well-covered incident at the tournament, Wall was detained by Qatari security guards at a stadium after arriving at a game wearing a rainbow soccer ball T-shirt. Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar. Wall, in his substock, security guards refused to let him in, held him for 25 minutes and demanded he take off his shirt.
In its statement, US Soccer added: “Grant’s passion for soccer and commitment to raising its profile in our sports landscape have been instrumental in instilling passion and respect for our beautiful game. Most importantly, Grant’s belief in the power of sport to advance human rights has been an inspiration to all.”
We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken at the tragic passing of Grand Wall. He was a kind and caring person whose passion for football and commitment to journalism was immeasurable. pic.twitter.com/ohJoZlGfk0
— Don Garber (@thesoccerdon) December 10, 2022
Wall joined Sports Illustrated in 1996 and worked at the magazine until 2020. For more than two decades, he has become one of the country’s leading football writers. He covers the men’s and women’s World Cups, European football and the development of the game in the United States.
Former Sports Illustrated colleague and NFL writer Peter King recalls covering the World Cup with Wall in 2010 and how gracious he was in introducing him to several contacts who helped his reporting. “He loved football like Peter Commons loved baseball,” King said. “He was selfless. All he wanted was more football coverage, and he wanted me to spread the word about football to a few football fans.
Wall tweeted throughout Friday after Argentina’s win. His final tweet came at the end of the second half after the Netherlands tied the game. “Incredibly crafted set-piece goal from the Netherlands,” Wall wrote.
“Total coffee junkie. Tv ninja. Unapologetic problem solver. Beer expert.”