Second journalist ‘dies suddenly’ during World Cup
Another journalist died unexpectedly Saturday while covering the World Cup, though no cause of death has been revealed.
Qatari photojournalist Khalid al-Misslam, who worked for local sports outlet Al Kass TV, was covering the soccer tournament when he suddenly lost his life.
“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,” wrote The Gulf Times on Twitter.
Al-Misslam's death came a day after American sports journalist Grant Wahl died suddenly while covering the quarterfinal match between Argentina and the Netherlands. Wahl reportedly died of a heart attack in the press box at Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar.
Wahl was detained for about a half hour by Qatar authorities last week after he brazenly donned a rainbow shirt in defiance of Qatar’s laws and culture.
The Sports Illustrated journalist had complained on his website of pressure in his chest earlier in the week.
“My body finally broke down on me. Three weeks of little sleep, high stress and lots of work can do that to you,” Wahl wrote. “What had been a cold over the last 10 days turned into something more severe on the night of the USA-Netherlands game, and I could feel my upper chest take on a new level of pressure and discomfort.
“I didn’t have Covid (I test regularly here), but I went into the medical clinic at the main media center today, and they said I probably have bronchitis,” he added. “They gave me a course of antibiotics and some heavy-duty cough syrup, and I’m already feeling a bit better just a few hours later. But still: No bueno.”
On a podcast Thursday, Wahl said he was “coughing a lot” and “so many journalists have got a crazy cough.”
Wahl again invoked COVID, appearing to be worried about the virus.
“The only thing that’s surprising to me actually is there isn’t that much COVID here. I thought there might be a real issue with that,” he continued. “We’re not really seeing COVID cases. We’re just seeing a lot of general sickness, coughing, colds, and I can’t wait to be on the other side of what I have. But I am going to be ready to go. I’m attending on Friday.”
As with many people, Wahl’s heightened fear of COVID came along with being vaccinated against COVID.
“If you’re unvaccinated at this point, you’re asking to be hospitalized or worse,” he posted on Twitter in December 2021.
