Bolivia have sought to boost their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by switching their home matches to the city of El Alto – located a staggering 13,615 feet above sea level.
The South Americans have typically played in their capital city La Paz, with matches held at 11,940 feet above sea level at the Estadio Hernando Siles.
The venue is one of the highest professional stadiums in the world, with altitude providing a major test for opponents.
Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister posted a picture of himself using his oxygen tube in La Paz, while Cristian Romero was also clutching his as he left the team bus.
Bolivia have switched their World Cup qualifier with Venezuela to El Alto Municipal stadium
The venue is located a 13,615 feet above sea level and is one of the highest in the world
Bolivia hope the altitude can give them an advantage in their World Cup qualifying campaign
Brazil star Neymar had previously slammed the choice of venue after having to use oxygen masks for recovery after a gruelling 0-0 draw with Bolivia in 2017.
After the match, the Brazil star said: ‘Inhumane to play in such conditions, field, altitude, ball… everything bad.
In 2007 the stadium was banned from hosting World Cup qualification matches when FIFA ruled such games could not take place higher than 2,500m above sea level.
However, after a Bolivian campaign FIFA relented and gave the stadium special dispensation to continue just a month later, despite claims the lack of oxygen in the air gave a distinct home advantage to players who were more used to it.
The test for opponents is set to get tougher, with Bolivia having switched its home World Cup qualifier with Venezuela on Thursday to El Alto, which is located at an even higher altitude of 4,150m.
Bolivia’s new head coach Oscar Villegas has expressed hope the altitude will help the national team, who are currently second bottom of South American qualifying after six matches.
‘Soccer is made of details. It does not mean that with this (changing stadiums) we are going to win,’ Villegas said, as reported by the Associated Press. ‘We are trying to take care of details that can allow us to be more effective.
‘In El Alto, we are going to try to be as intense as possible and to let them know that they are on a new pitch where we have been unbeatable,’ Villegas said, referring to local teams playing there in club competitions such as Copa Libertadores and Sudamericana.
Neymar had previously described playing in Bolivia’s capital La Paz as being ‘inhumane’
Brazil’s players had been seen wearing oxygen masks to recover from the altitude in 2017
The Brazilian national team had played out a gruelling goalless draw in Bolivia’s capital
Argentina players were given oxygen tubes ahead of their clash with Bolivia in La Paz last year
‘The psychological and emotional aspect also plays a role, it is something that is going to help us a lot.’
A reported 80 per cent of Bolivia’s squad includes players used to the thinner air, including six from Always Ready club in El Alto, and six more from Bolívar in La Paz.
Venezuela, who are fourth in South American qualifying, have named a 47 man squad for their latest matches.
The squad includes players who play for clubs located at altitude, while the team are reportedly preparing by undergoing oxygen breathing exercises and acclimatisation in hyperbaric chambers.
Bolivian Football Federation president Fernando Costa has stated the El Alto Municipal Stadium, which opened in 2017, is being trialled with a view to becoming the permanent home of the national team.
In February, the venue hosted the highest match ever played in the Copa Libertadores, South America’s equivalent of the Champions League.
Bolivian side Always Ready won the first leg of their qualifying 6-1 against Peruvian outfit Sporting Cristal, with the visitors having faded in the second half having been level at 1-1 at half-time.
Bolivia head coach Oscar Villegas hopes the higher altitude in El Alto gives his side a boost
Bolivia are currently second bottom in South American qualifying for the 2026 World Cup
Bolivia will look to beat Venezuela at altitude on Thursday to boost their qualification hopes
‘We must clarify something: playing at this altitude is very difficult,’ Cristal head coach Enderson Moreira said post-match.
‘The behaviour of the players is completely different, with a different approach that involves an issue of adaptation. It is not easy to play here.’
Bolivia, who have not qualified for the World Cup since 1994, only have one win in six matches of the qualifying campaign having been Peru 2-0 in La Paz.
The national team are four points adrift of the final automatic qualifying spot for the World Cup after six of 18 matches, but are just two points off a play-off spot.
