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An unexpected encounter with a venomous snake has caused a stir at the German national team's training camp in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. German captain Joshua Kimmich revealed the scare experienced by Julian Nagelsmann's squad during a press conference on Tuesday.
"We saw a snake yesterday, and they told us it was venomous. If you get bitten, you have to go to the hospital. I don't think you'd die, but it's dangerous, at the very least," stated the Bayern midfielder. The animal in question is believed to have been a copperhead viper, a venomous species common in that US state, whose bite, though rarely fatal, requires immediate medical attention.
Kimmich admitted that the presence of these animals makes him uncomfortable, contrasting the situation with his home country. "Here, I have a certain apprehension. In Germany, I feel there aren't as many dangerous animals," he confessed.
This incident has led the German players to adopt a more cautious approach at their training site for the 2026 World Cup. "I have a feeling that if you step on one of these snakes, things could end badly. So, when it comes to animals, we try to be more restrained around here," Kimmich explained.
Interestingly, according to information from the newspaper Bild, the German federation has not yet implemented specific safety measures against these animals. This approach contrasts with that of the Austrian national team, which, at its headquarters in Santa Barbara, prohibited players from cycling due to the risk of encountering snakes.
Germany, who crushed Curaçao 7-1 in their opening match in Houston, will face Ivory Coast in the second round on Saturday (9:00 PM EST) in Toronto.
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