Read 3 minutes17 Jun 2026 08:12 PM IST
Germany captain Joshua Kimmich opened up about the snake problem at his base camp in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on Tuesday. “In Germany, you worry about tactics, injuries and your next opponent. Here you also have to think about what’s hidden in the grass,” Kimmich said.
According to the BBC, the snake the Germans encountered was a copperhead, a venomous species found in the state of North Carolina.
“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 think if you step on a snake like that, it will end badly. That is why we try to keep our distance from animals. I have respect for many Germans here.’ DANGEROUS ANIMALS Once you hear what kind of snake it is and what it can do if it bites you, it stops being funny pretty quickly,” Kimmich said.
A week ago, Swiss nationals based at San Diego’s Jewish Academy also complained about the snake problem.. The vicinity of the base camp is said to be infested with venomous reptiles, making training a sometimes scary proposition. According to swissinfo.ch, the players have been warned of the danger.
Joshua Kimmich: “Dün zehirli bir ylan diklik. In case of sırılmışı, hastaeye gitmek gelikon; kılmemase bile hirte doğanlik bir durum.”
Almanya’da pek dohlany haywan yok ama burada durum diferenc. Yanlılıkla bir yılanın erında basarın isin sonu çok kötü bitebilir.
Bu… pic.twitter.com/8gbqgiGup4
— Peşindeyiz Galatasaray! (@PesindeyizApp) 16 June 2026
It’s a large area around the training ground with dark red stripes and the words: ‘Beware of snakes.’ Players don’t like to wander into areas marked as shortcuts or to collect balls.
Switzerland were not the only team to be warned about the presence of snakes in and around their training camp. Norway, home to superstars like Erling Halland and Martin Odegaard, was based at the Grandover Resort and Spa in Greensboro, North Carolina. They were advised not to provoke the snakes, which are “very common” in the area.
“Copperhead snakes are found in the eastern and southeastern United States and are very common in Greensboro. Do not provoke them, try to pick them up or disturb them in any other way – doing anything other than leaving them alone is extremely dangerous,” said the city’s website, which warned Norwegian football players.