Switzerland’s World Cup preparation in California has come with an unexpected warning. Based in San Diego ahead of the 2026 tournament, the Swiss national team has been alerted to the presence of venomous snakes near its training facilities.
The warning became public after the Swiss federation shared a map of its base camp on social media. A large area of vegetation located behind the training pitches was clearly marked with a red warning: “Beware of snakes.”
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The threat is not just theoretical. According to local reports, several hikers have recently been bitten by snakes in the Carmel Valley area, prompting authorities to install warning signs around the site.
Swiss players have therefore been advised to stay away from the surrounding brush and vegetation. Chasing a stray ball off the training ground could quickly lead to an unpleasant encounter.
It is certainly one of the most unusual challenges any team will face during the World Cup, but the Swiss squad now knows it will need to keep an eye not only on its opponents, but also on its surroundings.
