Bolivia’s Attempt to Qualify to Soccer World Cup Elevatinng Altitude Strategy
Bolivia’s decision to play at El Alto, the highest international stadium, is a calculated move to exploit altitude. Yet, questions remain: Will altitude be a game-changer or just a desperate ploy?
Bolivia’s highest city, El Alto, is 4,150 meters above sea level. This attitude is a source of pride and a strategic weapon for Bolivia’s national soccer team, which has decided to play its World Cup qualifying matches in this thin-air fortress. The stadium’s slogan—”4150 MTS ALT. SE JUEGA DONDE SE VIVE” (“We play where we live”)—captures the spirit of the nation. But behind this decision is a calculated move to gain an edge over opponents unaccustomed to playing in such extreme conditions.
As reported by The Athletic, the Bolivian Football Federation’s choice to host Venezuela in El Alto for a World Cup qualifier has ignited conversations about the fairness and effectiveness of playing at such high altitudes. While Bolivia has used altitude to its advantage for decades, there are growing questions about whether this tactic is more of a psychological advantage than a real game-changer. And with modern technology allowing teams to better prepare for the physical challenges of altitude, is Bolivia’s altitude strategy starting to lose its potency?
The decision to play international matches in El Alto is Bolivia’s latest attempt to leverage the high altitude that has historically favored their national team. At 4,150 meters, the Estadio Municipal de El Alto is now the highest international football stadium in the world. This decision marks a shift from La Paz, where Bolivia traditionally hosted its home matches at the Estadio Hernando Siles, situated 560 meters lower than El Alto.
In Thursday’s World Cup qualifier against Venezuela, the visiting team faces one of the most challenging environments imaginable for a soccer match. To prepare, Venezuela’s players have engaged in breathing exercises and acclimated to the low air pressure using hyperbaric chambers, a sign of how seriously they take the altitude threat. But Bolivia’s coach, Oscar Villegas, told The Athletic that the team is focused on more than just altitude. “Soccer is made of details. It does not mean we will win with this (changing stadiums). We are trying to take care of details that can allow us to be more effective,” Villegas said, emphasizing the importance of psychological preparation.
Bolivia’s club teams have already demonstrated that El Alto is a formidable venue. Local sides have remained undefeated in international competitions, such as the Copa Libertadores and Sudamericana, using altitude to disrupt opponents. The national team hopes to replicate this success on the global stage.
The Psychological and Physical Toll of Playing at Altitude
While visiting teams have long feared Bolivia’s high-altitude stadiums, the actual impact of altitude on performance remains a subject of debate. Playing at such heights can lead to physical symptoms such as shortness of breath, headaches, nausea, and fatigue. As players’ lungs work harder to supply oxygen to their bloodstream, they may tire more quickly and struggle to recover between sprints. This was illustrated in 2009 when Argentina, led by coach Diego Maradona, suffered a humiliating 6-1 defeat in La Paz. “Every goal was like a stab in my heart,” Maradona said, though he refrained from blaming the altitude.
Despite Maradona’s refusal to blame the conditions, Bolivia’s altitude has often been a critical factor in their home success. FIFA even attempted to ban matches at extreme altitudes in 2007, citing health concerns and the distortion of fair competition. The decision led to protests from Bolivia, with then-President Evo Morales calling it “soccer apartheid.” The ban was later lifted, but complaints about the conditions have persisted. In 2017, Brazilian star Neymar posted a viral Instagram photo showing his team wearing oxygen masks after a grueling 0-0 draw in La Paz. “It is inhuman to play in these conditions. Pitch, altitude, ball… everything is bad,” Neymar wrote.
A History of Bolivia’s Altitude Advantage
Bolivia’s reliance on altitude to gain a competitive edge is nothing new. As detailed in Andreas Campomar’s book ¡Golazo!: A History of Latin American soccer Bolivia has long used the thin air of the Andes to fortify its home-field advantage. Bolivia’s most famous victory came in 2009 when they thrashed Argentina 6-1 in La Paz. But that win was no fluke. Thirteen of Bolivia’s 15 points in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers came from matches played in Bolivia, and in the previous qualification cycle, they defeated Argentina again, 2-0.
However, Bolivia’s success at home contrasts sharply with their abysmal away record. The national team has won just one competitive match outside Bolivia in the last 28 years, underscoring how heavily their performance relies on the high-altitude advantage. For Bolivia, altitude has become both a blessing and a crutch—an asset at home but not enough to carry them to success on foreign soil.
Marco Etcheverry, one of Bolivia’s greatest players, told The Athletic that while altitude plays a role, it is not the only factor. “I think the altitude myth used to be a source of fear, but now, with technology, you can study everything — from what you have to eat to counteract the altitude to when you need to drink water,” he said. Modern training techniques, such as those employed by Venezuela, may mitigate the impact of altitude, raising questions about how much of an advantage Bolivia truly has.
Modern Technology and the Diminishing Effects of Altitude
With advances in sports science and technology, many of the physiological challenges associated with playing at altitude can now be managed more effectively. Hyperbaric chambers, high-altitude training camps, and oxygen masks are just a few tools teams use to prepare for matches in extreme conditions. While these measures don’t eliminate the effects of altitude, they help players acclimate more quickly and minimize the risks of altitude sickness.
Etcheverry pointed out that while altitude can affect players, the biggest challenge is recovery. “It doesn’t stop you from running: you do everything the same. The only problem is when you make an effort, your recovery isn’t as quick. That’s what costs you,” he explained. Teams that train for high-altitude conditions may struggle less, but the unique behavior of the ball at such heights remains another factor. At high altitudes, the ball tends to travel faster and curve less, a phenomenon famously summarized by Argentine coach Daniel Passarella after a loss to Ecuador in Quito in 1996: “En la altura la pelota no double” (“At altitude, the ball doesn’t bend”).
While these factors may pose a challenge for visiting teams, Bolivia’s reliance on altitude as a strategic advantage may not be as effective as it once was. The world of football is increasingly embracing technology and science, and the physical toll of altitude is less of a mystery than it used to be. For Bolivia, playing at altitude may no longer guarantee success, especially against teams that come prepared.
Altitude as an Advantage or a Crutch?
As Bolivia prepares to face Venezuela in El Alto, the question remains whether altitude is still the game-changer it once was. While Bolivia’s new home stadium at 4,150 meters presents a daunting challenge for visiting teams, technological advances and preparation may level the playing field. Marco Etcheverry and other experts argue that while altitude plays a role, it is not enough to guarantee victory.
Also read: Cyclists Conquer World’s Longest and Highest Urban Downhill Race in Bolivia
For Bolivia, moving matches to El Alto feels like a desperate attempt to gain an edge in a crisis. The national team’s recent struggles in World Cup qualifiers and at the Copa America suggest that deeper issues—such as player development and management—are at play. Whether or not altitude provides a significant advantage, Bolivia will need more than thin air to secure a place at the next World Cup. As The Athletic reports, Bolivia’s real test will be whether it can combine its natural advantages with the skills and strategy needed to compete at the highest level.
