'Taking Viagra to run?' England's Unconventional Prescription for Overcoming High Altitude... "It's Legal, So Take It!" Not a Banned Substance

*This content was translated by AI.

The England national football team has been permitted to use Viagra, an erectile dysfunction treatment medication, to cope with high-altitude conditions.

Britain's The Sun reported on the 3rd (local time) that "since Viagra is not included in the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)'s 2026 list of prohibited substances, it is not against regulations for England players to take it to address symptoms of altitude sickness."

The media stated, "Viagra works by dilating pulmonary blood vessels, lowering blood pressure, and aiding oxygen supply in the body. It has been shown to alleviate dizziness and fatigue commonly experienced at high altitudes where air is thin. However, it remains unconfirmed whether England players actually plan to take the medication during their upcoming trip to Mexico City."

England will face host nation Mexico in a Round of 16 match on the 6th at Estadio Azteca (Mexico City Stadium) in Mexico City, Mexico.

The media added, "Thomas Tuchel, England's national team manager, is deeply concerned about finding ways for his players to adapt to Mexico's notorious environment." Estadio Azteca is located at an elevation of 2,200 meters above sea level. Experts pointed out that "this altitude difference creates a disadvantage equivalent to playing a match with one player sent off."

At high altitudes, the ball travels farther, and players experience significantly more physical exhaustion. In contrast, Mexican players are fully adapted to mountainous terrain, having lost only twice in 56 years at their home ground, Azteca Stadium.

The media also noted limitations regarding Viagra's effectiveness. "WADA has determined that Viagra does not produce significant performance-enhancing effects near sea level," the report explained. Academic research further indicates that at altitudes below 4,000 meters, Viagra has minimal impact on oxygen supply within the body.

England's time for local adaptation is critically insufficient. Arriving in Mexico on the 3rd, the England squad will undergo only two days of adaptation training. Instead of heading directly to Mexico after defeating the Democratic Republic of Congo in Atlanta, USA, on the 2nd, Manager Tuchel returned to their base camp in Kansas City, USA. This move reflects Tuchel's intention to avoid the burdens of the Mexico trip and refine tactics first in a comfortable neutral location.

Meanwhile, the England national team has kept its accommodation location strictly confidential to prevent 'late-night noise terrorism' by Mexican fans. FIFA also approved road controls around the hotel to ensure the England squad's sleep. Previously, the Ecuadorian national team suffered severe noise disturbances from Mexican fans ahead of their Round of 32 match against Mexico and subsequently lost the game.

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*This content was translated by AI.