By Adrian Bishop
Bolivia have taken drastic measures in their bid to qualify for a first World Cup in more than three decades.
La Verde have historically played their home matches at the Estadio Hernando Siles, located in the country’s administrative centre of La Paz, more than 11,000ft above sea level.
However, with the race to qualify for the 2026 tournament heating up, and following a dismal start to their CONMEBOL qualifying campaign the country’s FA have taken a bold step in their bid to secure a place.
Last month Bolivia opted to stage their remaining home fixtures at the Estadio de Villa Ingenio in the city of El Alto.
Located at an altitude of 13,392ft above sea level, the ground is the second-highest major stadium in all of world football, beaten only by the Estadio Daniel Alcides Carrion in bordering Peru.
Bolivia have moved into the second-highest major stadium in football in a bid to reach the 2026 World Cup
Head coach Oscar Villegas insisted the move could give his side an advantage over opponents
The change has had an instant impact as they defeated Copa America finalists Colombia on Thursday
The overhaul also saw former Roma boss Antonio Carlos Zago sacked and replaced with Oscar Villegas in the managerial hot seat.
Speaking on the stadium change Villegas insisted the challenging conditions created by being so high above sea level will have a demoralising impact on opposing teams.
He said: ‘Soccer is made of details. It does not mean that with this [changing stadiums] we are going to win.
‘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.
‘The psychological and emotional aspect also plays a role, it is something that is going to help us a lot.’
The major reforms appear to have been a success for Bolivia, with Villegas winning all three qualifiers since taking charge – including a 1-0 victory over Copa America finalists Colombia on Thursday.
The Hawthorns is the highest ground in English league football at 551ft above sea level
Despite being the lowest-ranked team in CONMEBOL qualifying based on FIFA’s rankings, La Verde currently sit sixth which would be enough to book their place in finals’ new expanded format.
The Estadio de Villa Ingenio is more than ten times higher than England’s highest ground, The Silverlands – home of National League North side Buxton.
Of the 92 clubs in the top four divisions of English football, West Brom hold the title for the highest altitude home ground, with the Hawthorns situated 551ft above sea level.
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Bolivia move to the second-highest stadium in world football in bizarre bid to qualify for the 2026 World Cup – as their manager insists the ‘psychological’ aspect can help them qualify
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Publish date : 2024-10-11 06:19:00
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