Third journalist dies covering World Cup

Journalist Roger Pierce was announced dead on Monday while covering the World Cup in Qatar, joining two other journalists who died unexpectedly within the same week. 

No cause of death has been reported for Pierce, who served as iTV’s technical director since 2008 and was in Qatar to cover the Wales-USA match. 

"We have very sad news to bring you from here in Qatar," said presenter Mark Pougatch, according to Marca. "Our technical director, Roger Pearce, who was here for his eighth World Cup, sadly passed away. Roger was a highly respected figure in the sports broadcasting industry, for ITV he was instrumental in the logistical planning and coverage of the Rugby World Cup, Football World Cup and European Championships," said the presenter. "He always had a smile on his face and left a smile on your face," he said, calling Pearce “professional and extremely popular.”

Pierce’s death follows that of Qatari photojournalist Khalid al-Misslam, who worked for local sports outlet Al Kass TV and 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, in turn, 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 an aortic aneurysm 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.