Germany flew in veteran groundskeeper Sebastian Breuning to water and maintain their World Cup training pitch at Wake Forest University in North Carolina amid high temperatures [1, 2]. Breuning has been the German soccer association’s groundskeeping coordinator since 2022 [1, 2].
On Tuesday, June 8, Breuning and local staff were seen tending to a heavily watered pitch after Germany’s training session under hot and humid conditions [1, 2]. National team director Rudi Voeller said, "Yes, it needs water. That’s the problem with these temperatures, for drinking and also on the pitch. And that’s being taken care of" [1].
Voeller added, "The people here are going to incredible lengths. It’s great to see how much help is being given... of course, the pitch can be harder and drier. But the conditions are quite good. We’ve got nothing to complain about" [1].
FIFA has mandated three-minute hydration breaks in each half for all 104 World Cup matches starting Thursday across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada due to heat concerns [1, 2]. The tournament will begin on June 11 with Germany scheduled to kick off their Group E campaign against Curacao on Sunday, June 14 [1, 2].