'I apologise' - World Cup reporter issues statement after facing backlash for 'insensitive' and 'inappropriate' comment

An American TV reporter has been forced to issue an apology after they made an 'insensitive' and 'inappropriate' comment about the USA's upcoming World Cup opponents.

The USMNT will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the first knockout round of the World Cup after finishing top of Group D. The co-hosts held onto top spot despite losing 3-2 to Turkey in the final group-stage match, having already beaten both Paraguay and Australia.

Their reward was a clash with one of the eight third-placed teams, and they will face Bosnia, who finished below Switzerland and Canada in Group B.

Mauricio Pochettino's side will fancy their chances of reaching the last 16 of the tournament as co-hosts and might even feel confident of a run to the quarter-finals, with the winner of their tie set to face either Belgium or Senegal.

They can't get carried away, though, and would be foolish to write off a team that defied the odds to eliminate both Wales and Italy to qualify for the World Cup in the first place.

If they needed any extra motivation, Bosnian players only need to read the comments from ABC reporter Abigail Velez, who reported live on the news about the USA's next opponents.

Speaking on a live broadcast from Long Beach, California, she previewed the next World Cup clash and trash-talked the Balkan country, boasting that she knew nothing about it.

“One thing about Bosnia, I could not point out where it is on a map,” Velez said as she attempted to inspire the national side at the expense of their opponents.

“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. That’s next Wednesday.

“Get prepared, Bosnia, because you don’t want it. You don’t want it like that. But you’re gonna get it.”

It is no surprise that her comments did not go down well and quickly gathered attention online. In the early hours of Sunday morning, Velez took to social media to issue a statement and apologise for her attempt at humour.

“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 wrote.

“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.”