World Cup stars from two different countries have been warned of venomous snakes, including lethal rattlesnakes, infesting areas right next to their US training camps
Switzerland’s World Cup aces have been placed on high alert after a terrifying snake hazard was discovered right next to their training headquarters. The squad have touched down in San Diego to gear up for their highly anticipated tournament opener against Qatar on June 13.
But while the players are already battling the gruelling American humidity as they acclimatise to their new environment, an even more sinister threat is looming over their camp.
Fears spiked after an official diagram of the team’s training facilities explicitly highlighted a designated “snake area” bordering the pitches. The map, shared on the Swiss national team’s official social media accounts, initially looked routine.
It mapped out standard areas like the goalkeeper training zone at the rear, a tented gym space and the changing rooms positioned just behind it.
However, eagle-eyed supporters were left stunned by a massive section bordering the training pitch, blanked out with dark red stripes.
A chilling caption alongside the map delivered a blunt message to the players: “Watch out for the snakes.”
Local experts at the San Diego Natural History Museum warn that the region is home to four distinct species of venomous rattlesnakes, with the Crotalus helleri (Southern Pacific rattlesnake) being the most frequently spotted slithering around the city.
Shockingly, the Swiss aren’t the only squad looking over their shoulders during their World Cup preparations.
Norway’s superstars have also been issued an urgent safety brief regarding dangerous reptiles after checking into the Grandover Resort & Spa in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Erling Haaland and his international teammates have been explicitly ordered not to “provoke” the local wildlife, which is heavily populated by venomous vipers.
An official warning on the city’s website states: “Copperhead snakes are found throughout the eastern and south-eastern United States and are very common in Greensboro.
“Do not provoke it, try to pick it up or disturb it in any other way – it is extremely dangerous to do anything other than leave it alone.”
The terrifying update hasn’t gone down well in the camp, with Norway midfielder Kristian Thorstvedt admitting he was “not happy to hear this” when confronted with the news.