FIFA eased up on its ban on high-altitude games, raising the limit to 3,000 meters from 2,500 while applying the ban only to World Cup qualifiers. But Bolivia, whose president Evo Morales [photos] led the campaign against the ban, won't be able to play in its capital, La Paz (3,600 meters above sea level). Brazil suffered its first ever World Cup qualifying loss in La Paz 14 years ago. Further defeats in the Andean highlands by Argentina and Brazil, which have seats on FIFA's executive committee, prompted the ban.

The latest adjustment allows Colombia to host games in Bogota (2,640 meters) and Ecuador to play in Quito (2,800 meters). FIFA announced it will finalize its decision after a medical conference in October.