World Cup players wary of venomous snakes in 2026 camps

Players from Germany, Switzerland, and Norway have raised concerns about encountering dangerous snakes during the 2026 World Cup training camps.

Germany’s snake encounter Joshua Kimmich, captain of Germany, revealed that his team encountered a venomous copperhead snake at their base camp in Winston-Salem. The players were informed that the snake was dangerous, requiring a hospital visit if bitten. Kimmich emphasized the risk, stating that stepping on such a snake could lead to serious consequences. He also expressed that his respect for local wildlife has increased, noting that Germany has fewer dangerous animals. ## Swiss mark snake zone The Swiss team designated a specific area in their San Diego training camp as a 'snake area' before the tournament. This precaution highlights their awareness of the local wildlife risks. Switzerland’s players joined Germany in voicing concerns about potential encounters with venomous snakes during their stay. ## Kimmich’s warning on dangers Kimmich shared his thoughts on the situation, saying, 'We saw a snake yesterday, we were told it was venomous. If you get bitten, you have to go to the hospital. I don’t think you’ll die, but it’s certainly dangerous.' He added, 'I have the feeling that if you step on a snake like that, it can end badly.' The German captain also noted that players are now checking the ground before every step while preparing for the tournament. ## Norway joins concerns Norway, also based in North Carolina, faced similar concerns. The city of Greensboro’s official website described copperheads as 'very common' in the area, which did not sit well with Norway’s captain, Kristian Thorstvedt. He bluntly stated, 'I’m not happy at all to hear that,' reflecting the unease among his teammates. ## Germany’s snake species Germany is home to seven snake species, including two venomous ones. Kimmich admitted that learning about the risks made the situation far less humorous. He described the shift from focusing solely on football to constantly worrying about wildlife encounters during training sessions. ## World Cup 2026 preparations The 2026 World Cup has introduced an unexpected challenge for participating teams, with players having to adapt their routines to avoid local wildlife. The issue has added an extra layer of tension to the already high-pressure tournament preparations.