ABC7 Los Angeles reporter Abigail Vélez has apologized for making “insensitive” and “inappropriate” remarks about Bosnia and Herzegovina during a World Cup broadcast. The comments, made while previewing an upcoming match between the U.S. and Bosnia-Herzegovina, went viral and sparked a response from the Bosnian national football team.
Vélez made the remarks on Thursday while reporting from a World Cup watch party in Long Beach, following the U.S. team's 3-2 loss to Turkey. When discussing the upcoming match against Bosnia-Herzegovina, she stated, “One thing about Bosnia, I could not point out where it is on a map. 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. Get prepared Bosnia, because you don’t want it like that, but you’re gonna get it.”
The Bosnian national team responded via its official X account, posting, “My goodness, the stereotypes write themselves.” The team further highlighted that ABC News President Almin Karamehmedovic, who was appointed in 2024, is from Sarajevo. Karamehmedovic oversees the network's reporting.
Vélez subsequently issued an apology on Instagram, stating, “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.” She also offered apologies to the people of Bosnia and the national football team, adding, “The World Cup is supposed to be about uniting communities around the world, and my comment didn’t reflect that spirit. Wishing all the teams the very best as they continue their World Cup journey.”
The controversy divided social media users, with some viewing Vélez's comments as harmless sports banter and others condemning them as ignorant and insensitive.