Football’s toughest game just got tougher! Bolivia are turning to an ‘unbeatable’ stadium – 4,100 metres above sea level – after Neymar called their old ground ‘inhuman’

Bolivia has sought to boost its hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by moving its home games to the city of El Alto, located at a dizzying 13,615 feet above sea level.

The South Americans usually play in their capital, La Paz, with matches held at 11,940 feet above sea level at the Estadio Hernando Siles.

The stadium is one of the highest professional stadiums in the world, with the altitude providing a major test for opponents.

Last year, Argentina’s players were given personal oxygen tubes to help them cope with the high altitude.

Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister posted a picture of himself using his oxygen tube in La Paz, while Cristian Romero also held his as he left the team bus.

Bolivia has moved its World Cup qualifier with Venezuela to the El Alto Municipal Stadium

The place is located at 13,615 feet above sea level and is one of the highest in the world.

Bolivia hopes altitude will give them an advantage in their World Cup qualifying campaign

Brazilian star Neymar had previously criticised the choice of venue after having to use oxygen masks to recover following a 0-0 draw with Bolivia in 2017.

After the match, the Brazilian star said: “It’s inhuman to play in such conditions, the pitch, the altitude, the ball… everything is bad.

In 2007, the stadium was banned from hosting World Cup qualifying matches after FIFA ruled that such matches could not be played at an altitude of more than 2,500m.

However, after a campaign in Bolivia, FIFA relented and granted the stadium a special dispensation to continue operating a month later, despite claims that the lack of oxygen in the air gave a clear home advantage to players who were more accustomed to it.

The test for their opponents looks set to be tougher, with Bolivia moving their home World Cup qualifier with Venezuela to El Alto on Thursday, located at an even higher altitude of 4,150m.

Bolivia’s new coach, Oscar Villegas, has expressed hope that the altitude will help the national team, which is currently second from bottom in South American qualifying after six matches.

“Football is made of details. It doesn’t mean that with this (the stadium change) we’re going to win,” Villegas said, according to the Associated Press. “We’re trying to take care of the details that can allow us to be more efficient.”

“In El Alto we will try to be as intense as possible and let them know that they are on a new pitch where we have been unbeatable,” Villegas said, referring to local teams that play there in club competitions like the Copa Libertadores and the Sudamericana.

Neymar had previously described playing in the Bolivian capital La Paz as “inhuman”

Brazilian players were seen wearing oxygen masks to recover from altitude in 2017

The Brazilian national team drew 0-0 in the Bolivian 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’s something that will help us a lot.”

According to reports, 80 percent of the Bolivian team includes players accustomed to a more rarefied climate, including six from the Always Ready club of El Alto and another six from Bolívar of La Paz.

Venezuela, fourth in the South American qualifiers, have named a 47-man squad for their remaining matches.

The team includes players who play in clubs located at altitude, while the team would prepare from here undergo oxygen breathing exercises and acclimatization in hyperbaric chambers.

Bolivian Football Federation President Fernando Costa said the El Alto Municipal Stadium, opened in 2017, was being tested with a view to becoming the national team’s permanent home.

In February, the stadium hosted the highest-level match ever played in the Copa Libertadores, the South American equivalent of the Champions League.

Bolivian side Always Ready won the first leg of their qualifying round 6-1 against Peruvian side Sporting Cristal, with the visitors faltering in the second half after being level at 1-1 at halftime.

Bolivia coach Oscar Villegas hopes El Alto’s higher altitude will give his team a boost

Bolivia is currently second to last in the South American qualifying standings for the 2026 World Cup.

Bolivia will look to beat Venezuela at altitude on Thursday to boost their qualification hopes

“We have to clarify something: playing at this altitude is very difficult,” Cristal coach Enderson Moreira said after the match.

“The players’ behaviour is completely different, with a different approach that involves a question of adaptation. It’s not easy to play here.”

Bolivia, who have not qualified for the World Cup since 1994, have won just one of their six qualifying games, against Peru (2-0) in La Paz.

The national team are four points adrift of the final automatic World Cup qualifying place after six of 18 matches, but are just two points adrift of a play-off place.