Grant Wahl’s brother says he ‘regrets’ suggesting that reporter was killed while covering World Cup in Qatar

The brother of US soccer journalist Grant Wahl told The Post on Tuesday he “regrets’’ suggesting someone may have killed his sibling at the World Cup in Qatar last week.

Eric Wahl explained that he was “in shock” when he posted a video to social media over the weekend theorizing someone murdered his brother.

“I regret the video,” Wahl said as he left the Manhattan apartment of his brother’s widow, Dr. Céline Gounder. “I was in shock, and I just had limited information to go on.

“I’m especially sorry to any people in the Muslim world that I offended. It was never my intention,” he said.

Grant Wahl, 49, had complained about having a “death rattle cough” from a stubborn case of bronchitis shortly before he collapsed while covering Argentina’s quarter-final win against the Netherlands on Friday.

Eric previously speculated foul play may have been involved in his brother’s demise since the influential soccer writer was an outspoken critic of the Qatari government and received death threats after wearing a rainbow shirt to a match.

The grieving brother even took to Instagram at one point to proclaim someone “killed” his brother, although the troubling post is no longer public.

On Tuesday morning, Eric wrote on Twitter, “The family will release a statement as to cause of death soon.” 

Robert Miller

Robert Miller

But “I no longer suspect foul play,” the sibling added, noting that “it seems possible Grant experienced a pulmonary embolism.”

Eric also initially claimed there was no portable defibrillator in the stadium but then by Monday had issued a correction on Twitter, writing that “per a US gov official, FIFA is saying AEDs were available at the stadium,” referring to the devices.

It’s unclear why a defibrillator was not used on Wahl.

Eric tearfully spoke to The Post on Tuesday about how Grant was always there for others.

“He’s probably one of the most humble people I ever knew and was a great champion of marginalized people,” Eric said, his voice cracking while fighting to hold back tears.

He also shared photos of a card attached to a bouquet that was sent to Grant’s widow, which reads: “With sincere condolences NASCAR, Racing Operations.”

Getty Images

FIFA via Getty Images

Grant Wahl’s body was brought to New York City on Monday for an independent autopsy. His widow, Gounder, an infectious-disease physician who works at Bellevue Hospital, brought his body to a city medical examiner Monday.

Gounder on Tuesday shared a photo of her with Wahl on Twitter, writing, “I miss you, @GrantWahl.”

Grant Wahl made headlines at the World Cup when he was initially not allowed to enter the stadium because he was wearing a shirt with a soccer ball surrounded by a rainbow in support of the LGBTQ+ community before a US and Wales game.

Additional reporting by Isabel Keane