Overview
- Tabloid reporting that surfaced Friday, July 3 said England was considering sildenafil as a medical measure ahead of its World Cup match in Mexico City, but the Football Association has not confirmed the claim.
- Sildenafil works as a pulmonary vasodilator by relaxing blood vessels in the lungs, which can lower pulmonary arterial pressure and sometimes raise blood oxygen levels in low-oxygen environments.
- The World Anti-Doping Agency’s 2026 Prohibited List does not include sildenafil, so prescribed use under medical supervision would not violate anti-doping rules.
- Multiple reviews and clinical trials show sildenafil changes lung blood flow but does not reliably improve endurance or match performance at high altitude, with any benefits likely small or limited to some individuals.
- The Estadio Azteca sits above roughly 2,200 meters where low oxygen makes short-term acclimatization hard, so teams more commonly rely on acclimation and medical care rather than unproven drug strategies, which could prompt closer medical oversight and public scrutiny if pursued.