"Grant has made football his life's work and we are devastated that he and his brilliant pen are no longer with us," the Football Association said. "The entire football family in the United States is heartbroken." His widow, Celine Gounder, said she was "in complete shock."

Wahl attended the thrilling game for CBS Sports, which Argentina won on penalties. According to a report by the US radio station NPR, he collapsed in the press box in the stadium shortly before the end of the match. Paramedics would have provided first aid and then brought the 48-year-old outside on a stretcher. According to The Wall Street Journal newspaper, Wahl suffered a heart attack.

To show his support with the LGBTQ movement, the US sports reporter wore a rainbow t-shirt to the USA vs Wales game on November 21. He was briefly detained by security personnel. The English abbreviation LGBTQ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer.