World Cup teams wary of venomous snakes in North Carolina
Germany, Switzerland, and Norway football teams have voiced concerns about venomous snakes at their training bases in North Carolina ahead of the World Cup.
World Cup preparations have taken an unusual turn as several teams report encounters with venomous snakes. Germany captain Joshua Kimmich revealed his team came across a copperhead snake at their base camp in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
"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. According to him, the snake was identified as venomous, and a bite requires hospital treatment.
Germany is home to seven snake species, two of which are venomous. The Swiss team has marked a certain area in their San Diego camp as a "snake area" as a precaution. Norway, based in Greensboro, North Carolina, is also concerned. Captain Kristian Thorstvedt was not pleased to learn that copperheads are "very common" in the area, as noted by the city's official website.
"I'm not happy at all to hear that," Thorstvedt said.
