World Cup in Qatar: a second journalist “died suddenly” the same day as Grant Wahl

Qatari photojournalist Khalid al-Misslam died of an unclear cause on Sunday after Grant Wahl collapsed at a stadium after suffering a seizure cardiac reported

The death of Khalid al-Misslami was confirmed on Saturday by a Qatari sports broadcaster (

Image: @GulfTimes_QATAR/Twitter)

A Qatari covering the World Cup in his homeland died suddenly over the weekend, according to reports in the Middle East.

Khalid al-Misslami was a photojournalist working for Al Kass TV, a sports broadcaster in the Gulf state, and is believed to have died on Saturday. The local outlet wrote on Twitter: "Al Kass TV photojournalist Khalid al-Misslam passed away recently.

"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."

Al Kass TV confirmed the news during a live broadcast on one of its eight channels over the weekend, as they appear to be awaiting updates on the cause of death of Al-Misslam.

There was more tragedy on Saturday when famed American sportswriter Graht Wahl died after collapsing in the quarter-final between the Netherlands and Argentina. The 48-year-old is believed to have fallen back into his seat at the Lusail Iconic Stadium and was assisted by medical personnel who performed CPR and used an automatic chest compressor before his death was announced following a reported heart attack .

Wahl was reporting on his eighth World Cup and said on Monday, nearly a week before his death, he checked himself into a hospital in Qatar feeling unwell. His brother, Eric, accused the journalist of being killed because of his comments on the Qatari regime's much-criticized stance on LGBT rights.

Earlier in the tournament, Wahl was refused entry to a stadium while wearing a rainbow t-shirt. In an Instagram video that has since been deleted, his brother said, "My name is Eric Wahl. I live in Seattle, Washington. I'm Grant Wahl's brother. I'm gay.

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