The report says Germany, Switzerland and Norway have been warned about venomous snakes near their facilities. Germany’s camp in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, was reportedly affected after players encountered a copperhead, a species common in the region.
Kimmich described the new concern bluntly: “We saw a snake yesterday, and we were told it was venomous. If it bites you, you need to go to the hospital.”
For players accustomed to managing tactical detail, recovery schedules and tournament pressure, scanning the grass before every movement is a remarkable addition to the preparation checklist.
The German captain reportedly acknowledged that the danger should not be exaggerated, but insisted it was serious enough to demand caution.
“I don't think you're going to die, but it's certainly dangerous. I have the feeling that, if you step on a snake like that, it could end badly,” Kimmich said.
He also explained how quickly the novelty had disappeared. “When you hear what type of snake it is and what can happen if you're bitten, it stops being funny very quickly.”
Switzerland has reportedly marked part of its outdoor base in San Diego as a “snake area”, while Norway is also preparing in North Carolina. The update says Norwegian captain Kristian Thorstvedt had a simple reaction: “I'm not at all happy to hear that.”
This is unlikely to define any team’s tournament, but it underlines the challenges of staging a global competition across unfamiliar environments. Training camps must provide security, privacy and high-quality facilities - while also exposing visitors to local conditions they may rarely encounter at home.
Germany, Switzerland and Norway will hope the warning remains just that: a precaution rather than a genuine interruption. As the 2026 World Cup approaches, the next storyline will be whether the snakes remain a camp curiosity or become a lasting part of the tournament conversation.