Tactics and opponents are not the only concerns for German footballers during the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup. They are also concerned about what may be “hiding in the grass” after spotting a snake at their base camp in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Germany captain Joshua Kimmich opened up about the slippery issue, with the BBC reporting that similar concerns have also come from the teams from Switzerland and Norway.
«In Germany you worry about tactics, injuries and your next opponent. Here you also have to think about what might be hiding in the grass,» Kimmich said.
The BBC also reported that Kimmich and his teammates encountered a copperhead, a venomous snake common in North Carolina.
“The Swiss have marked a certain area outside their camp in San Diego as ‘snake territory’ before the tournament,” the report noted.
Kimmich said once his team learned the snake was venomous, it raised concerns.
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«We saw a snake yesterday, we were told it was poisonous. If you get bitten you have to go to the hospital. I don’t think you will die, but it is definitely dangerous. I have a feeling if you step on a snake like that it could end badly,» he said.
«That’s why we try to keep our distance from the animals here. I respect the people here. In Germany I have the feeling that there are not so many dangerous animals,» he added.
The four-time champion opened his tournament campaign with a 7-1 win over debutant Curaçao. Germany will play against Ivory Coast again on June 21.
“Once you learn what kind of snake it is and what can happen if you get bitten, it quickly stops being funny,” Kimmich said.
Norwegian captain Kristian Thorstvedt said he wasn’t particularly happy to know that copperheads are common in North Carolina.
“We’re here trying to prepare for the biggest tournament in football, and suddenly players are looking at the ground for every step they take,” Thorstvedt said.
“I’m not happy to hear that at all,” he added.
Published on June 17, 2026
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