World Cup 2026: American reporter faces backlash over 'Insensitive' remarks

An American TV reporter covering FIFA World Cup 2026 has been hit with backlash over her insensitive commentary.

A journalist from ABC Los Angeles has been forced to issue a public apology following remarks widely condemned as inappropriate regarding Bosnia and Herzegovina during a segment on the World Cup after telling viewers, “I could not point out where it is on a map.”

It comes as ABC7 Los Angeles’ reporter Abigail Velez was covering the U.S. national team’s match where they lost 3-2 to Turkey on Thursday and she gave viewers an update on the home side’s next game.

“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 added.

The reporter boasted on air that she could not locate the nation on a map and had no desire to learn anything about it.

The reporter then doubled down, telling America’s southeastern European opponent to get ready for a tough competition.

“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 said.

Her comments sparked widespread criticism across social media platforms, with the footage circulating rapidly online.

Bosnia fans, including the official Bosnian Football account on X, were unhappy with Velez’s comments.

Velez apologized in a statement Saturday for her “poor effort to have a little fun with the World Cup competition,” and noted that the segment was supposed to be lighthearted.

“I took it too far and made a thoughtless comment on air that was insensitive and inappropriate. I apologize to the people of Bosnia and the Bosnian Football team,” she wrote on X.

“The World Cup is supposed to be about uniting communities around the world, and my comment didn’t reflect that spirit,” she continued. "Wishing all the teams the very best as they continue their World Cup journey.”