Germany coach Joachim Low has given a damning report of the training facilities he witnessed in South Africa during a trip to the Confederations Cup at the weekend.
Low flew to South Africa to see assess preparations for next year's World Cup and he came back disappointed by what he saw.
"The training facilities do not fulfil our expectations," he said.
"I have not yet seen one training pitch which would even come close to European standards. FIFA and the organisers have got to create better conditions."
Germany general manager Oliver Bierhoff has already located a few suitable bases in the eventuality that Germany qualify for the competition and Low confirmed they will be situated close to Johannesburg.
"It does not rain so much there," he told Kicker magazine.
"It may be cool, but it is clear."
Nevertheless, Low expects his players to be confined to their hotel for the duration of the tournament, which is why the choice of on-site facilities is particularly high on the agenda.
He said: "As beautiful South Africa is, you cannot just move around freely wherever you want in this country," he said.
"There will be restrictions for us."
"The training facilities do not fulfil our expectations," he said.
"I have not yet seen one training pitch which would even come close to European standards. FIFA and the organisers have got to create better conditions."
Germany general manager Oliver Bierhoff has already located a few suitable bases in the eventuality that Germany qualify for the competition and Low confirmed they will be situated close to Johannesburg.
"It does not rain so much there," he told Kicker magazine.
"It may be cool, but it is clear."
Nevertheless, Low expects his players to be confined to their hotel for the duration of the tournament, which is why the choice of on-site facilities is particularly high on the agenda.
He said: "As beautiful South Africa is, you cannot just move around freely wherever you want in this country," he said.
"There will be restrictions for us."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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