What does it mean for the Vinotinto to play in El Alto, at more than 4,000 meters above sea level in Bolivia?

• The national team will be the first team to play a World Cup qualifying match at this sports centre, one of the highest in the world, according to the Bolivian Football Federation | Main photo: EFE

The Venezuelan national team will play its seventh South American Qualifiers match against Bolivia on Thursday, September 5, 2024. The match will take place at the municipal stadium of El Alto, in Villa Ingenio, more than 4,000 meters above sea level.

Fernando Costa, president of the Bolivian Football Federation (FBF), recently confirmed that the stadium has been remodeled and is ready to host the Vinotinto, the first team to play a World Cup qualifying match at the sports center.

The El Alto municipal stadium is located at 4,083 meters, 500 meters higher than the Hernando Siles Olympic Stadium in La Paz (Bolivia), where the Venezuelan team has played on previous occasions, at 3,581 meters above sea level.

Which stadium is the highest above sea level?

The stadium with the highest altitude above sea level is the Daniel Alcides Carrión stadium in Cerro Pasco, Peru, at 4,378 metres above sea level. However, it is not currently approved by Conmebol, according to the sports website ESPN.

Photo: FBF

What does it mean for La Vinotinto to play in El Alto?

For the Vinotinto, playing against Bolivia in La Paz has historically been a difficulty because the altitude causes a reduction in atmospheric pressure, which results in low oxygen levels.

In addition, players may experience dizziness, vomiting, a feeling of lack of oxygen with difficulty breathing and stomach discomfort, according to specialized medical portals consulted by the team. The Diary as Mayo Clinic, MSD Manualsas well as the Bolivian Department of Tourism.

To adapt the players’ bodies to these atmospheric conditions, reporter and football analyst Ignacio Benedetti highlighted on his YouTube channel the importance of using hyperbaric and hypobaric chambers for the sports conditioning of the Venezuelan national team.

In addition, Benedetti emphasized the importance of nutrition and hydration before and during the match against Bolivia.

“Playing at altitude represents an added difficulty, but there are no scientific studies to support the claims of other teams to CONMEBOL or FIFA to prevent playing at altitude,” said the sports analysis specialist.

Several of the 41 players summoned by Fernando “Bocha” Batistatechnical director of Venezuela, has shared on their social networks part of their training in hyperbaric chambers (they help increase air pressure with the aim of stimulating circulation and the transfer of oxygen to the body’s tissues).

However, this preparation has been carried out independently by each player called up, because only one of the 41 Vinotinto players has a sports career in a Venezuelan club, as is the case of Carlos Vivas, better known as Pipo Vivas, who is currently a midfielder for Deportivo Táchira.

Fernando Batista’s strategy to help the Venezuelan team avoid the consequences of altitude is still unknown.

Venezuela’s position in the South American qualifiers

La Vinotinto is in fourth position in the South American Qualifiers table with eight points.

The national team debuted with a defeat against Colombia and a victory against Paraguay. They then tied 1-1 against Brazil, beat Chile 3-0 and drew 0-0 against Ecuador.

Photo: EFE

Called up for the Venezuela – Bolivia match

Due to the difficult weather, Bocha Batista called up 41 players to verify their physical condition for the game against Bolivia and there he will choose the 11 starters and substitutes for the Vinotinto for the game against Bolivia.

The players called up for the Venezuela – Bolivia game are:

Goalkeepers

-Rafael Romo (Catholic University – Ecuador)

-Joel Graterol (America de Cali – Colombia)

-Jose Contreras (Golden Eagles – Colombia)

-Alain Baroja (Always Ready – Bolivia)

Defenses

-Jon Aramburu (Real Sociedad – Spain)

-Alexander Gonzalez (Emelec – Ecuador)

-Delvin Alfonso (Millonarios FC – Colombia)

-Miguel Navarro (Workshops – Argentina)

-Nahuel Ferraresi (Sao Paulo FC – Brazil)

-Yordan Osorio (Parma Calcio – Italy)

-John Chancellor (Catholic University – Ecuador)

-Carlos Vivas (Tachira Sports – Venezuela)

-Christian Makoun (Levski Sofia – Bulgaria)

-Ruben Ramirez (Cusco FC – Peru)

-Yiandro Raap (PSV – Netherlands)

-Bianneider Tamayo (University of Chile – Chile)

-Luis Balbo (Fiorentina – Italy)

-Alessandro Milani (SS Lazio – Italy)

Midfielders

-José Martinez (Corinthians – Brazil)

-Tomás Rincon (Santos FC – Brazil)

-Yangel Herrera (Girona FC – Spain)

-Cristian Cásseres (Toulouse FC – Francia)

-Daniel Pereira (Austin FC – United States)

-Telasco Segovia (Pia House – Portugal)

-Bryant Ortega (Al Ittihad – Saudi Arabia)

-Darwin Machís (Real Valladolid – Spain)

-Eduard Bello (Barcelona SC – Ecuador)

-Yeferson Soteldo (Gremio – Brazil)

-John Murillo (Atlas – Mexico)

-Jefferson Savarino (Botafogo – Brazil)

-Matías Lacava (FC Vizela – Portugal)

-Kervin Andrade (Fortaleza EC – Brazil)

-Giovanny Sequera (Philadelphia Union – United States)

-Leenhan Romero (Catholic University – Chile)

-Nicola Prophet (Santos FC – Brazil)

-David Martinez (LA FC – United States)

Forwards

-Salomon Rondon (CF Pachuca – Mexico)

-Jhonder Cadiz (Club Leon – Mexico)

-Eric Ramirez (Tigre – Argentina)

-Alejandro Gomez (Lyon – France)

-Lorenzo D’Angostini (SS Lazio – Italy)

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