American journalist Grant Wahl, who was detained in Qatar for wearing a rainbow shirt in support of the LGBTQ community, has died while covering a match of the showpiece tournament, his brother confirmed.

Eric Wahl, the brother of sportswriter Grant Wahl said in a video statement: "My brother was healthy. He told me he received death threats. I do not believe my brother just died. I believe he was killed. And I just beg for any help."

US Soccer mourned the death of the journalist and posted a statement on Twitter which read: " The entire US Soccer family is heartbroken to learn that we have lost Grant Wahl."

Wahl’s wife Celine Gounder said he was shocked by the development.

" I am so thankful for the support of my husband @GrantWahl 's soccer family & of so many friends who've reached out tonight. I'm in complete shock," she said.

In his last tweet, Wahl had commented about the football match between Argentina and Netherlands.

Also Read:Journalist claims he was denied entry into stadium by security staff for wearing rainbow t-shirt

Wahl was recently making headlines when he posted on Twitter that he was detained and briefly refused entry to a World Cup match because he was wearing a rainbow t-shirt in support of LGBTQ rights.