Messi and co. are even on oxygen bottles: Argentina’s team goes to great lengths to prepare for the World Cup qualifier in Bolivia

Argentina will play Bolivia in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday evening. In itself nothing special, except that the stadium in La Paz is located at an altitude of more than 3,500 meters above sea level. The Argentines are already taking the necessary precautions.

The Estadio Hernano Siles in the Bolivian capital La Paz is located at an altitude of 3,637 meters, making it one of the highest stadiums in the world. An immense height, especially when you know that the roof of the Vuelta this year was on the Tourmalet, less than 2,200 meters above sea level.

Het Hernano Siles Stadium — © AP

That is why Messi and co are taking the necessary precautions for their trip to La Paz. First and foremost, the selection traveled a few days early to get used to the conditions. But on Instagram, Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister showed how it went a step further than that. The Liverpool midfielder already put his acquired oxygen bottle to use. Not an unnecessary luxury, because the thinner air makes it much more difficult to breathe naturally.

In the past, the World Football Association FIFA ensured that matches above 2,500 meters were no longer allowed because teams would not be able to optimally adapt to the conditions, but it made an exception for the stadium in Bolivia.

The Argentinians started the World Cup qualifying well on Friday with a 1-0 win over Ecuador. Lionel Messi scored the only goal in Buenos Aires.

The Argentinians during a training on Bolivian soil — © AP

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