A second media member reportedly died unexpectedly during the 2022 FIFA World Cup held in Qatar.
As mentioned by Yaron Steinbuch of the New York Post and also TMZ Sports, Qatari photojournalist Khalid al-Misslam was covering the World Cup for local sports outlet Al Kass TV when he passed away on Saturday.
“Al-Misslam, a Qatari, died suddenly while covering the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022,” said a short statement shared by the outlet the Gulf Times. “We believe in Allah’s mercy and forgiveness for him, and send our deepest condolences to his family.”
No cause of death was mentioned in the pieces.
American journalist and podcaster Grant Wahl died suddenly in Qatar while covering the World Cup match between Argentina and the Netherlands this past Friday. Wahl’s name was in headlines earlier in the tournament when he was temporarily detained for wearing a pro-LGBTQ t-shirt that featured a soccer ball surrounded by rainbow colors. He had recently published a story to his Substack criticizing the World Cup Supreme Committee for its apathy regarding the death of a migrant worker that occurred at Saudi Arabia’s training resort during the tournament’s group stage.
Wahl admitted to NBC Sports’ Peter King before the World Cup that he felt “very conflicted” about covering the event because of Qatar’s alleged human rights record.
Eric Wahl, Grant Wahl’s brother, raised eyebrows when he initially expressed worrisome questions about Grant’s death via Instagram. While it was later pointed out that Grant had been battling what may have been a case of bronchitis in Qatar, Sean Keeley of Awful Announcing mentioned that it’s been said the press box inside the billion-dollar World Cup stadium had no defibrillator when Wahl experienced his medical emergency.
It’s unknown if a defibrillator could’ve saved Wahl.
