July 1, 2026
Bosnia and Herzegovina captain Edin Dzeko has responded after comments made by an American television reporter ahead of his side’s FIFA World Cup Round of 32 clash against the United States triggered widespread debate online.
The controversy began when ABC7 reporter Abigail Velez, while discussing the upcoming knockout match, joked that she could not locate Bosnia and Herzegovina on a map and said she was fully backing the United States.
The remarks quickly spread across social media, with many football fans criticizing them as dismissive and disrespectful toward Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Asked about the incident, Dzeko dismissed the comments, saying they reflected more on the person making them than on his country. The veteran striker added that his team’s priority is the match and that Bosnia hopes to make its statement on the pitch.
The exchange has added an extra layer of intrigue to the Round of 32 encounter, with both teams chasing a place in the next stage of the tournament. While the United States enters as one of the favourites, Bosnia believes it has the quality to produce an upset.
Following the backlash, the reporter issued an apology, saying her remarks were insensitive and expressing regret to those who were offended.
With emotions running high before kickoff, the spotlight is now firmly on the football as the two sides prepare for a high-stakes World Cup showdown.
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