Grant Wahl, Former Sports Illustrated Writer, Dies at 49

Wahl, a renowned international sports journalist who helped grow the coverage of soccer in the U.S., is survived by his wife, Dr. Céline Gounder.

Editors’ note: This story has been updated to reflect that Grant Wahl turned 49 on Dec. 2.

Grant Wahl, a former Sports Illustrated senior writer, died Friday in Qatar while covering the 2022 World Cup. He was 49.

Wahl is survived by his wife, Dr. Céline Gounder, and two dogs, Zizou (named after French soccer legend Zinedine Zidane) and Coco, who readers came to know over the years through Wahl’s coverage of the sport.

In a joint statement, SI’s co-editors in chief, Ryan Hunt and Stephen Cannella, said: “We’re shocked and devastated at the news of Grant’s passing. We were proud to call him a colleague and friend for two decades—no writer in the history of SI has been more passionate about the sport he loved and the stories he wanted to tell. Our hearts go out to Céline and his family, as well as everyone who loved his work. He will always be part of the SI family.”

Wahl spent 24 years at SI, joining in November 1996. Two years in, as a budding reporter, he volunteered to cover a growing game that few around SI's offices cared about: soccer. He covered the World Cup in France that summer and quickly worked his way up to a senior writer for the publication in 2000. Eventually he would become one of the most respected soccer authorities in the world. Wahl specialized in international coverage, constantly expanding his love, knowledge and respect for the game. Before his professional career, he spent a summer in Argentina studying the political culture of clubs for his senior thesis at Princeton University.

Wahl also worked with Fox Sports, as an on-air personality, and he wrote three books on the game: The Beckham Experiment, Masters of Modern Soccer and Football 2.0.

After leaving SI in 2020, he started his own Substack, “Fútbol with Grant Wahl,” to share his soccer coverage, and worked at Meadowlark Media. He was also a producer on the Good Rivals docuseries on Prime Video.

A world traveler with a passion for spreading soccer throughout the United States, he even campaigned to become FIFA’s president in 2011.

Dr. Gounder released a statement on Twitter following the news.

“I am so thankful for the support of my husband Grant Wahl’s soccer family & of so many friends who’ve reached out tonight,” she wrote. “I’m in complete shock.”

U.S. Soccer said in a statement: “The entire U.S. 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 and coaches and the many personalities that make soccer unlike any sport.

“Grant made soccer his life’s work, and we are devastated that he and his brilliant writing will no longer be with the U.S. U.S. Soccer sends its sincerest condolences to Grant’s wife, Dr. Céline Gounder, and all of his family members, friends and colleagues in the media. And we thank Grant for his tremendous dedication to and impact on our game in the United States. His writing and stories he told will love on.” 

“We are heartbroken by the news of Grant Wahl’s death,” the NWSL wrote in a statement shared Friday. “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. Our most sincere condolences to Grant’s family and those close to him at this indescribably sad time.” 

MLS commissioner Don Garber also released a statement in the wake of Friday’s news.

“We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken over the tragic passing of Grant Wahl. He was a kind and caring person whose passion for soccer and dedication to journalism were immeasurable,” Garber wrote. “Grant was an important member of the soccer community for more than two decades, and he will be deeply missed. Our heartfelt condolences are with his wife Céline, his family and loved ones.”