ABC7 Los Angeles reporter Abigail Velez has apologized after a live World Cup segment triggered backlash online for a remark many viewers described as ignorant and insulting to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The controversy came after the United States men’s national team finished the group stage and learned it would face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Velez was discussing the matchup on air following the USA’s 3-2 defeat to Turkey when she made the comments that quickly spread across social media.
During ABC7 Los Angeles’ coverage of the United States’ Round of 32 meeting with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Velez made comments that quickly spread across social media.
“The next round, Team USA will play Bosnia next Wednesday and one thing about Bosnia, I could not point out where it is on a map,” Velez said. “I don’t know the first thing about Bosnia and I don’t want to know because Team USA, we’re back, we’re better than ever.”
She then continued by addressing Bosnia and Herzegovina directly in a confrontational tone.
“That’s next Wednesday. Get prepared, Bosnia, because you don’t want it, you don’t want it like that, but you’re gonna get it. That’s next Wednesday,” she added.
The reaction was swift. Among those to respond was the official Bosnian Football account on X, which posted, “My goodness, the stereotypes write themselves.”
Football journalist Nima Tavalley Roodsari also criticised the segment, writing on X, “‘I can’t even find Bosnia on a map’ isn’t the mic drop moment you think it is.”
Other users were similarly dismissive, with one calling the remark “embarrassing and stupid,” while another said it reflected a broader habit of treating “stupidity endearing and funny when it’s really just embarrassing.”
The United States had finished top of their group for the first time since the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, earning a last-32 showdown with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bosnia secured their place after beating Qatar 3-1 in their final group-stage match.
The match is scheduled to take place at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on Wednesday, with a place in the Round of 16 on the line.
After the criticism intensified, Velez posted an apology on X and acknowledged that her attempt at humour had gone too far.
“In a poor effort to have a little fun with the World Cup competition, I took it too far and made a thoughtless comment on air that was insensitive and inappropriate,” she wrote, speaking to her followers on X. “I apologize to the people of Bosnia and the Bosnian football team.
“The World Cup is supposed to be about uniting communities around the world, and my comment didn’t reflect that spirit.”
She ended her statement by saying, “Wishing all the teams the very best as they continue their World Cup journey.”