Viagra Could Help England Breathe at 7,200 Feet. The World Cup Altitude Debate Is Back.

The Three Lions are reportedly considering a weird but legal edge before their Round of 16 showdown with Mexico: Viagra. Yes, that Viagra. And no, it has nothing to do with what you’re probably thinking.

Estadio Azteca sits 7,220 feet above sea level, which means the air is thin and oxygen is scarce. For athletes sprinting for 90-plus minutes, that altitude can cause serious fatigue, dizziness, and a drop in performance. England, who just arrived in Mexico City, won’t have time to fully acclimatize. The hosts, on the other hand, have been playing at altitude throughout the tournament and look comfortable as ever.

Here’s where the drug comes in. Sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, was originally developed to treat high blood pressure. It widens blood vessels in the lungs and reduces pressure, which can help the body cope with lower oxygen levels. It is not on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s banned list, so using it would be perfectly legal. Some athletes have reportedly turned to it for altitude adaptation in the past, though the practice is not widespread.

England manager Thomas Tuchel admitted the team faces an uphill battle. “I’m not sure we are ready, because it’s a huge disadvantage for us because Mexico play there since the tournament started and they have adapted to the altitude,” he told LADBible. “We don’t have enough time to adapt.”

But before anyone gets ahead of themselves, there is no confirmed plan for the Three Lions to raid the pharmacy. Similar rumors popped up before the 2010 World Cup, and the team pushed back on them then. The viral story making the rounds right now is exactly that — a story. Nothing official has been said by the squad or its medical staff.

Mexico, for their part, probably don’t need any extra motivation. They are hosting a knockout game in front of a packed, raucous Azteca crowd. England is coming off a 2-1 win over DR Congo, but that was at sea level. Sunday’s match will test both their lungs and their legs.

Whether or not Viagra makes its way into the dressing room, the conversation itself says something about how far teams will go to find any kind of advantage. Altitude pills, oxygen masks, weird breathing drills — nothing is off the table when a World Cup spot is on the line.

The two sides meet Sunday in Mexico City. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. local time.