American sports journalist Grant Wahl, who died unexpected while covering the World Cup in Qatar, was in good spirits and joking with colleagues just minutes before his sudden death, an eyewitness said.

Wahl, 48, died after he "fell ill" at the Lusail Stadium in the final minutes of the FIFA World Cup quarterfinal game between the Netherlands and Argentina Friday, a Qatari spokesperson said.

"I’m in shock. I was sitting next to him tonight. He was working on his story on his laptop, it was about 4 minutes before the end of the extra time," journalist Rafael Cores said of the tragedy. 

AMERICAN SOCCER JOURNALIST GRANT WAHL DIES WHILE COVERING FIFA WORLD CUP IN QATAR

Cores added, "He was laughing at a joke we saw on Twitter only minutes earlier. I can’t believe it. My deepest condolences to Grant Wahl’s family."

Wahl received "immediate emergency medical treatment on site," a spokesperson for Qatar's World Cup planning committee told Fox News Digital. 

Wahl's wife, Céline Gounder, thanked the international soccer community for its concern and support in the aftermath of the journalist's sudden passing.

USMNT COACH GREGG BERHALTER SET TO BEGIN NEW CONTRACT TALKS WITH US SOCCER FEDERATION: REPORT

"I am so thankful for the support of my husband Grant Wahl's soccer family and of so many friends who've reached out tonight," Gounder said. "I'm in complete shock."

U.S. Soccer released a statement saying "the entire U.S. Soccer family is heartbroken."

"Fans of soccer and journalism of the highest quality know we could always count on Grant to deliver insightful and entertaining stories about our game, and its major protagonists: teams, players, coaches and the many personalities that make soccer unlike any sport," U.S. Soccer said. "Grant made soccer his life's work, and we are devastated that he and his brilliant writing will no longer be with us."

BRITTNEY GRINER LANDS BACK IN US AFTER BIDEN ADMIN'S CONTROVERSIAL PRISONER SWAP

Wahl's brother, Eric, announced his death on Instagram and made an emotional plea for help. 

"I am gay. I am the reason he wore the rainbow shirt to the World Cup," Eric Wahl said. "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'm just begging for any help." 

Eric Wahl referenced an incident Grant Wahl faced two weeks ago when he tried entering the stadium for the US-Wales match while wearing a rainbow pride shirt and was stopped by security. 

The Qatari Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy released a press statement acknowledging Wahl's death.

"We are deeply saddened by the death of the US journalist Grant Wahl. Grant was known for his enormous love of football and was in Qatar to cover his eighth FIFA World Cup," the committee said. "He fell ill in the Lusail Stadium media tribune, during last night’s quarter-final match between Argentina v Netherlands."

"He received immediate emergency medical treatment on site, which continued as he was transferred by ambulance to Hamad General Hospital. We offer our deepest condolences to Grant’s family, friends and his many close colleagues in the media." 

The committee went on to state they were cooperating with US officials to return Wahl's body to the U.S.

"We are in touch with the US Embassy and relevant local authorities to ensure the process of repatriating the body is in accordance with the family’s wishes," the statement concluded.

Republicans in Arizona have filed a lawsuit again alleging incompetence from election officials influenced the midterm election results, after a previous legal challenge was dismissed.

Abraham Hamadeh, the Arizona Republican nominee for attorney general, joined with the Republican National Committee in a lawsuit filed against several election officials in Mohave County on Friday. The lawsuit comes after a previous lawsuit, filed on Nov. 22, was dismissed as a judge argued the voting results had not yet been certified.

The Republicans said they "are not, by this lawsuit, alleging any fraud, manipulation or other intentional wrongdoing that would impugn the outcomes of the November 8, 2022, general election."

The lawsuit, however, alleges "errors and inaccuracies" in areas like Maricopa County resulted in Hamadeh losing to Democrat Kris Mayes by 511 votes or a "margin of 0.02%."

ARIZONA CERTIFIES 2022 ELECTION RESULTS, CEMENTING DEMOCRAT STATEWIDE WINS

"The cumulative effect of these mistakes is material to the race for Arizona Attorney General, where after the first canvass the candidates are separated by just 511 votes out of more than 2.5 million ballots cast—a margin of two one-hundredths of one percent (0.02%)," the lawsuit read.

Kari Lake, the Republican nominee for Governor, also filed a 70-page lawsuit on Friday, echoing many of the same complaints. 

"The eyes of the country are on Arizona," the lawsuit read. Lake also fell to her Democratic opponent, Katie Hobbs, by about 17,000 votes.

Hamadeh announced the lawsuit on Twitter Friday, saying "every legal vote deserves to be counted."

"Today my campaign along with the Republican National Committee has filed an election contest lawsuit," Hamadeh said. "At 511 votes out of 2.5 million our race is the closest statewide race in Arizona history, it is currently undergoing a recount."

"I jumped in this race because I know how important the rule of law is for a civilized society," he added. "I urge all Arizonans to have patience during this time. Laws exist in order to provide justice and the courts are the guardians of justice."

Hamadeh also said: "If we lose hope in our system we will no longer be that shining city upon a hill. I am fighting this fight to win and to make sure we regain confidence in our elections now and forever. Arizona, I will never stop fighting for you."

ARIZONA'S MARICOPA COUNTY ELECTION OFFICIALS ADDRESS BALLOT ISSUES AMID KARI LAKE, BLAKE MASTERS LAWSUIT

These sentiments were shared by RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel.

"Arizonans deserve fair and accurate election results," she said. "Incompetence by election officials can cost votes, and Abraham Hamadeh’s election is razor-thin. Proud to join with his campaign in filing this election contest."

Hamadeh continues to argue problems, such as those in Maricopa County, Arizona, contributed to mistakes that affected the outcome of the election.

RNC, ARIZONA AG CANDIDATE FILE LAWSUIT ALLEGING ELECTION MISMANAGEMENT BY OFFICIALS

"If a rural county had as many problems as Maricopa County did on Election Day every elected official and the media would demand an investigation," the Republican nominee said. "It’s a shame and pains me to say that left-wing Pima County was better prepared and ran a more competent election than Maricopa."

He also pointed to a judge extending voting hours in Apache County and delays at voting centers in Maricopa County.

Maricopa County Supervisor Bill Gates has admitted to and apologized for many of their polling sites experiencing problems with tabulation machines reading ballots, which persisted for hours on Election Day.