Snake on a train(ing) pitch: Germany World Cup camp rattled in North Carolina

WINSTON-SALEM (US), June 17 — Germany’s preparations have been shaken after a venomous snake was spotted at their training base in North Carolina, leaving players on edge during training sessions, The Sun reported.

Captain Joshua Kimmich said the team had been alerted to the presence of a copperhead snake in the area, describing how awareness of the danger has changed the mood at camp.

“Once you hear what kind of snake it is and what can happen if you’re bitten, it stops being funny very quickly,” Kimmich said.

“If you get bitten, you have to go to the hospital. I don’t think you’ll die, but it’s certainly dangerous.

“We’re here trying to prepare for the biggest tournament in football, and suddenly players are looking at the ground before every step they take.”

Copperhead bites are typically not fatal but require urgent medical attention.

Germany are not the only team affected, with other squads also adjusting to wildlife risks at their US training bases.

Erling Haaland and the Norway squad, also based in North Carolina, have reportedly been placed on alert after learning of the animals in the region.

Norway captain Kristian Thorstvedt said he was uneasy upon hearing how common the snakes were.

“I’m not happy at all to hear that,” he said.

Elsewhere, Austria have reportedly been barred from cycling near their Santa Barbara base due to similar concerns, while Switzerland have cordoned off part of their training area as a “snake zone”.

Despite the unusual distractions, Kimmich said the Germany squad remained focused on building unity ahead of the tournament.

He has also been reading Belonging by Owen Eastwood, a performance-focused book that explores team cohesion through the concept of Whakapapa, drawn from Māori traditions in New Zealand.

Kimmich said the squad already had strong chemistry but added that the group was still working on strengthening its collective identity.

“It’s a very good book, very interesting. Let’s see how far it takes us,” he said.

“Even before the win against Curaçao, I thought the group was relatively homogenous.

“It’s not like it’s all sunshine and rainbows every day. I don’t think it needs to be.

“But you definitely get the feeling that we all get along well and everyone is there to work towards the big goal.”