An American journalist, Abigail Velez of ABC7, faced criticism for admitting on-air ignorance of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s location prior to the USA’s World Cup match against the nation. Velez stated she knew “nothing” about Bosnia, sparking outrage and accusations of disrespect. Following the backlash, ABC7 issued an apology for Velez’s comments. Some observers speculate that heightened awareness generated by Bosnian-American Almin Karamehmedović, whose story was gaining traction, contributed to the swift apology. Karamehmedović's personal journey from Sarajevo to success in the US is seen as representing Bosnian achievement. The incident highlights the importance of media preparedness and cultural sensitivity, particularly during international events like the World Cup. The apology aims to mitigate damage to US-Bosnian relations ahead of the match.