Who is Abigail Velez? The reporter drawing backlash in Bosnia over her comments before the USMNT match
- During 2026 FIFA World Cup pregame coverage, ABC7 Los Angeles reporter Abigail Velez sparked controversy by stating she could not locate Bosnia on a map and had no interest in learning about the country.
- Until recently, Velez was a lesser-known field reporter covering local news and community stories for the station; her live remarks ahead of the United States' World Cup match suddenly thrust her into the international spotlight.
- Bosnian Football highlighted the irony after Velez claimed, "I don't know the first thing about Bosnia, and I don't wanna know." The official account noted the President of ABC News is Bosnian.
- Following a barrage of criticism, Velez released an apology on Sunday morning. "I took it too far and made a thoughtless comment on air that was insensitive and inappropriate," she wrote.
- The incident drew backlash from international soccer fans and American viewers alike, with critics arguing that expressing ignorance about a participating nation undermines the unifying spirit of the World Cup.
38 Articles
38 Articles
US Reporter Slammed After Saying 'I Don't Want to Know' Anything About Bosnia Ahead of World Cup Clash
An American television reporter is at the centre of an international backlash after boasting live on air that she did not know where Bosnia and Herzegovina was and 'didn't want to know', just days before the United States is due to face the Balkan nation at the World Cup. The remarks came from Abigail Velez, a reporter for ABC7 Los Angeles, during a live broadcast from a United States men's national team viewing party in Long Beach, California, …
Speaking about the team that will face the US team in the mata mata, Abigail Vélez said he wouldn't know where the country is on the map and don't want to know anything about the country.
World Cup broadcaster forced to apologise after 'inappropriate' comment
A journalist from ABC Los Angeles has been forced to issue a public apology following remarks widely condemned as inappropriate regarding Bosnia and Herzegovina.Abigail Velez recorded a news segment in which she proudly declared her lack of knowledge about the Balkan country after it was drawn against the United States in the World Cup's round of 32.The reporter boasted on air that she could not locate the nation on a map and had no desire to le…
Reporter apologizes for World Cup trash talk of Bosnia after backlash from those with fanny packs in a bunch – Democratic Accent
Abigail Velez was covering a USMNT watch party in Long Beach, California, on Thursday for ABC7 Los Angeles when she innocently started to trash talk the team’s next opponent. Her obviously lighthearted comments came as she was wrapping up following the USA’s loss to Turkey. She was looking ahead to the next opponent, Bosnia and Herzegovina, when she said, “The next round, Team USA will play Bosnia next Wednesday and one thing about Bosnia, I cou…
Reporter apologizes for World Cup trash talk of Bosnia after backlash from those with fanny packs in a bunch
Abigail Velez was covering a USMNT watch party in Long Beach, California, on Thursday for ABC7 Los Angeles when she innocently started to trash talk the team’s next opponent.Her obviously lighthearted comments came as she was wrapping up following the USA’s loss to Turkey. She was looking ahead to the next opponent, Bosnia and Herzegovina, when she said, "The next round, Team USA will play Bosnia next Wednesday and one thing about Bosnia, I coul…
US journalist apologises over Bosnia World Cup comments
A US television journalist apologised on Sunday after she appeared to speak disrespectfully about the country of Bosnia and Herzegovina during a World Cup report. ABC7 Los Angeles reporter Abigail Velez was covering the US national team's match at a viewing party in Long Beach, California, on Thursday when she updated viewers on the team's next opponent following the US's 3-2 defeat to Turkey. “The next round, Team USA will play Bosnia next Wed…
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