Playing soccer in altitude (Bolivia, Ecuador & Colombia) reduces the performance of visiting teams.

What is it about?

We study the whole history of South American qualifiers to each World Cup and we show that Ecuador and Bolivia had benefited from playing in high altitude (Quito and La Paz, respectively). That means that they have obtained more points (more draws and more wins) that their teams' quality suggests. In particular, Ecuador would not have gone to two World Cups if it wasn´t for playing in Quito, instead of the other national stadium in Guayaquil. Although playing in altitude may imply that some teams who qualify are not among the best, it also implies that the competition is more intense. The national teams that go to play in high altitute must make greater effort, ensuring that the tournament is more competitive, and probably more unpredictable and interesting to watch.

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Why is it important?

If altitude is a handicap for the better teams, then it may be efficient to consider handicaping the better teams in some football competitions. In some sports, like Polo, this is done in every tournament to level up the playing field.