Germany brings specialist groundskeeper to maintain World Cup training pitch in North Carolina heat
Germany's soccer federation flew in veteran groundskeeper Sebastian Breuning to maintain their training pitch at Wake Forest University amid high temperatures during the 2026 World Cup. The move reflects FIFA's new three-minute hydration breaks mandated for all matches due to heat concerns from last year's Club World Cup. Pitch maintenance and player safety have become key logistical considerations for the tournament.
Germany's national soccer team brought in Sebastian Breuning, the German soccer association's groundskeeping coordinator since 2022, to oversee maintenance of their World Cup training ground at Wake Forest University in North Carolina. The decision came as the region experienced high temperatures and humidity, requiring intensive watering of the pitch. FIFA implemented three-minute hydration breaks in each half for all 104 matches of the 2026 World Cup—a first-time mandate—following heat-related concerns from last year's Club World Cup in the United States. Germany's national team director Rudi Voeller acknowledged the challenging conditions but praised local staff and support, noting that while the pitch could be harder and drier, overall conditions were manageable. Germany will begin their Group E campaign against Curacao on Sunday.
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Germany fly in groundskeeper Breuning to maintain World Cup training pitch amid heat
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