The FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association), which governs soccer worldwide, has banned international matches at elevations above 2500 meters (8,202 feet). This means that soccer matches can't be held in La Paz, Bolivia (3,600 meters or 11,811 feet) or in Quito, Ecuador (2,800 meters or 9,186 feet). Obviously, Bolivians and Ecuadorians are angry, especially since fellow South American countries Brazil and Argentina lobbied for the change! FP Passport has more. On a related note, my article World Cup Teams That Should Not Exist is worthwhile.
Explore Geography
Comments
That is a good, play soccer in la Paz is a nightmare.. (Not for Bolivians…)
What’s the elevation Azteca Stadium in Mexico City? That place should be banned, too.
I am a huge soccer fan. People should really think how this effects the World Cup. Ecuador has a great team that could reapeat what they did last summer. And for the Bolivian sake, that’s like the MLB banning the Colorado Rockies from playing, people respect their pastimes and teams. I’m against this banning.
I don’t get it, and not just because I’m peruvian. I mean why not then ban places where it’s too hot, or too cold, or too rainy, or too snowy, etc. It’s almost disrespectful.
FIFA is correct to ban high altitude in football matches. It’s not fair to play in such high places. Brazilians football players are llamas to run on the peaks.