An American journalist has issued an apology after she made an "insensitive" comment about Bosnia and Herzegovina ahead of their round-of-32 clash against the USA at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
It's without a doubt that the World Cup brings out the most passionate fans (heck, not to toot our own horn, but the Women's World Cup had the Matildas take over PEDESTRIAN.TV.).
And with such passionate fans comes some brutal trash talk.
However, for ABC7 Los Angeles journalist Abigail Velez, her attempt at the fan sport of trash talk went extremely viral for all the wrong reasons.
While during a live cross, Velez took aim at Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is expected to take on Team USA this Thursday. But her take on banter struck a chord with viewers across the globe.
My goodness, the stereotypes write themselves……🤷♂️ #FIFAWorldCup 🇧🇦🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/UGj3uudcYL
— Bosnian Football (@BosniaNTBall) June 27, 2026
The pulse of Australian culture, since 2005.
Sign up for your daily dose.
By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services.
“I don’t know the first thing about Bosnia, and I don’t want to know,” she said.
“That is because Team USA, we’re back, we’re better than ever. Get prepared Bosnia, because you don’t want it ... but you’re gonna get it.”
Fans react to US journalist's remarks about Bosnia at the FIFA World Cup 2026
Shortly after a cut-down of the segment reached social media, fans called out the journalist, with one person even poking fun at the US in general, writing that "the stereotypes write themselves".
"Sad to see how disrespectful this American journalist is," one person wrote on X.
"It’s one thing to 'trash talk', and it’s another to just be so gross about it. This doesn’t actually paint Bosnia in a poor light, it paints America in a poor light," another penned.
"You don't have to know, but shouldn't you, as a journalist, want to find out? I don't know...professional norms, editorial standards and all that 'nonsense' stuff?" a third wrote.
US Journalist Abigail Velez apologises for FIFA World Cup 2026 remarks
In a post shared across her personal social media platforms, Velez issued an apology for her "thoughtless" on-air remarks about the Balkan country.
"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 began.
"I apologise 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.
"Wishing all the teams the very best as they continue their World Cup journey."
I'm not gonna lie to you, I FROTH a little read. But unfortunately for Velez, her attempt was chopped.
