US reporter apologizes after on-air jibe at Bosnia: ‘I couldn’t point it on a map’

On-air remarks

Abigail Velez, a reporter for the ABC affiliate in Los Angeles, made the comments on Saturday after the United States clinched first place in its group and a round-of-32 meeting with Bosnia and Herzegovina at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Speaking live, she told viewers she could not point to the country on a map and had no interest in learning about it.

“I could not point out where it is on a map. I don’t know the first thing about Bosnia, and I don’t wanna know. That’s because Team USA, we’re back, we’re better than ever.”

Velez’s delivery was intended as a rallying cry for U.S. fans but was perceived as disrespect for the Eastern European nation.

Fan backlash

The video spread rapidly on social media, prompting sharp criticism from Bosnian supporters and others who accused Velez of ignorance and arrogance. A Bosnian fan account wrote that “the clichés write themselves,” and broader commentary questioned why Americans treat lack of knowledge as a punchline.

“My goodness, the clichés write themselves.”

The reporter’s earlier confidence, including a pre-group-stage taunt that Australia “are not ready for us,” fed a wider narrative of U.S. swagger ahead of the knockout stage.

Apology

Late Saturday evening, Velez posted a statement on Instagram, where she has roughly 21,000 followers, to apologize. She said her effort to inject levity had crossed a line.

“In a poor effort to have a little fun with World Cup competition, 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 added that the World Cup should be about uniting communities around the world and that her comment did not reflect that spirit.

World Cup context

The round-of-32 match is scheduled for Wednesday, July 1, at Levi’s Stadium (early Thursday morning Central European time). Bosnia reached the knockouts for the first time after a 1-1 draw with Canada and a 3-1 win over Qatar, finishing third in Group B with four points. Their only previous World Cup appearance was in 2014, when they exited in the group stage. The United States topped its group for the first time since 2010. Local fan events ahead of the match have drawn large crowds; Atlanta organizers reported that a fan fest was expected to surpass 275,000 attendees, with a strong Bosnian presence.

What’s next

The game offers Bosnia a chance to continue a historic tournament run while the host nation looks to advance after a 16-year wait for a group-stage win. Velez has not commented further on her coverage role for the tournament.