Reporter Reacts After His Bastian Schweinsteiger World Cup Question Goes Viral

The journalist who asked new Chicago Fire signing Bastian Schweinsteiger whether he envisioned taking the club to the FIFA World Cup has apologised for the error after getting "better educated on the ins and outs of soccer." 

Derek Henkle is a reporter for AFP, and after going viral for asking Schweinsteiger whether he could accomplish the impossible at his Chicago Fire unveiling, he told the Telegraph's Bob Williams he was sorry for the slip:

"

I'm truly sorry if I offended anyone. As a general assignment video reporter, I was seeking facts at a press conference. 

I get that I named the wrong trophy and greatly appreciate Schweinsteiger attempting to clean up the question for me. It was a classy move.

My question missed its mark, but it has allowed me to become better educated on the ins and outs of soccer.

"

The World Cup is, of course, an international competition, and even if Chicago's Major League Soccer outfit were allowed to compete among the world's most talented nations, there's not much hope they'd ever have the quality to win it.

Fox's At The Buzzer provided footage of the awkward encounter in question, which was quickly spun by the Fire's media team to assume Henkle meant the MLS Cup or the FIFA Club World Cup:

While Schweinsteiger may be a figure boasting major pedigree at the elite level of football, Chicago Fire fans may need reminding the 2014 World Cup-winner failed to make a single Premier League appearance for Manchester United this season before moving to the United States.

At 32 years of age, Schweinsteiger likely won't be solely responsible for many trophies making their way to Chicago anytime soon.

NBC presenter Pilib de Brun didn't look lightly upon Henkle's mistake, however, and criticised the journalist for not knowing the subject matter:

Henkle added his work makes him more a Jack-of-all-trades in sport, and he was more than happy to accept his fault: "I may have been one of the only general assignment guys in the room—but I believe, like a lot of Chicago, that Bastian Schweinsteiger's arrival presents an amazing opportunity for those of us who want to experience soccer to more fully embrace the sport."