Bolivia Aims Higher: World Cup Qualifiers at Record Altitude

Bolivia's men's national soccer team is playing at an unprecedented altitude of 4,150 meters in El Alto for World Cup qualifiers. New coach Oscar Villegas is leveraging high-altitude home advantage against Venezuela. Despite challenges and skepticism, Bolivia hopes to boost its standing in South American soccer.

Bolivia's men's national soccer team is taking unprecedented measures by hosting World Cup qualifiers in El Alto, a city at an elevation of 4,150 meters, aiming to leverage the altitude difference against its opponent, Venezuela. The South American soccer body, CONMEBOL, has sanctioned the shift from La Paz, which sits at 3,640 meters above sea level.

Oscar Villegas, Bolivia's new head coach, will mark his debut in this high-stakes environment by fielding a squad predominantly acclimated to high altitudes. Villegas believes that the key to winning lies in the nuances and psychological preparedness of playing at such heights, despite traditional skepticism about high-altitude soccer.

El Alto's Municipal Stadium, regarded as a jewel of the Bolivian highlands, is on trial to gauge its feasibility as a permanent home venue. Although Bolivia has faced criticism and has historically struggled in its qualifiers, there is a renewed hope and strategy under the new regime.

(With inputs from agencies.)