Overview
- Multiple news outlets reported over the weekend that England’s medical staff had offered players sildenafil (Viagra) as an option to ease the effects of Mexico City’s high altitude.
- England head coach Thomas Tuchel publicly denied the reports on Saturday, saying the information did not reach him and that the suggestion was not true.
- Players treated the story lightly in press duties, with Jordan Henderson joking about the rumour while also describing the altitude as noticeable in training.
- The World Anti‑Doping Agency does not ban sildenafil, but scientific studies show mixed benefits and suggest any real gain is more likely at much higher elevations than Mexico City’s roughly 2,200–2,350 metres.
- England have instead adjusted travel and training plans to help acclimatise and the issue echoes a similar 2010 episode when the FA also rejected claims about using the drug, so watch for any formal medical statements or confirmation before treating this as fact.