Several outlets report that England have been permitted to take Viagra ahead of their FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match against Mexico. The claims centre on altitude preparation for Mexico City, where the Estadio Azteca sits at roughly 2,240 metres (about 7,350 feet). At that elevation, lower oxygen levels can make it harder for players to maintain performance during a full match. According to the reports, Viagra is not listed as a prohibited substance by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), so athletes are allowed to use it in and out of competition if prescribed for medical reasons.
The sources also note there is no confirmation that any England player will actually take the medication. Medical experts are described as divided on how much (if any) performance benefit Viagra provides at high altitude, and the team’s medical staff may consider it only as one possible option among others. England’s limited time to acclimatise—training in Kansas City before arriving in Mexico shortly before the match—is cited as a factor increasing interest in legally available aids.
