Wahl said at the time that he was detained for nearly half an hour before being allowed into the media centre for the match on November 21.

He was wearing this in solidarity with his gay brother, Eric.

Grant Wahl was 48 years old at the time of his death.

He collapsed during Argentina's victory over The Netherlands yesterday and was pronounced dead at a local hospital in the early hours of today.

Images from Brazilian publication Ge Globo show medical workers attending to someone in the press tribune at the match at the Lusail Stadium, although did not confirm this was Wahl in their post. 

"Journalist receives cardiac massage in the tribune after feeling sick during Holland vs Argentina," read the tweet. 

"He was removed from the press boxes carried on a stretcher."

His brother Eric claims he was "healthy" prior to heading to the World Cup, accusing someone of killing him.

"My brother was healthy, he received death threats," he said in a video.

"I do not believe my brother just died, I believe he was killed."

However, on Monday (December 5), Wahl had said he attended a medical clinic after feeling ill.

"My body finally broke down on me," he said. 

"Three weeks of little sleep, high stress and lots of work can do that to you.

"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."

He said he received antibiotics after it was suggested he might have bronchitis. 

US Soccer released a statement confirming his death.

"The entire US Soccer family is heartbroken to learn that we have lost Grant Wahl," it read.

"Fans of soccer and journalism of the highest quality knew we could always count on Grant to deliver insightful and entertaining stories about the game, and its major protagonists: teams, players, coaches and the many personalities that make soccer unlike any sport.

"Here in the United States, Grant's passion for soccer and commitment to elevating its profile across our sporting landscape played a major role in helping to drive interest in and respect for our beautiful game.

"As important, Grant's belief in the power of the game to advance human rights was, and will remain, an inspiration to all. 

"Grant made soccer his life's work, and we are devastated that he and his brilliant writing will no longer be with us.

"US Soccer sends its sincerest condolences to Grant's wife, Dr. Celine Grounder, 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 the stories he told will live on."

Wahl was critical of Qatari Supreme Committee chief executive Nasser Al-Khater on the eve of his collapse, who previously told the BBC that "death is a natural part of life" in response to the death of a migrant worker at the Saudi Arabian team's training resort due to a forklift accident.

The migrant death story was kept secret by Qatar until broke by The Athletic's Adam Crafton.

Wahl was previously an analyst for CBS Sports and was fired from Sports Illustrated in 2020 for criticising its chief executive James Heckman for his handling of pay cuts during the COVID-19 pandemic.