Demonstrations are planned in Bolivia and Ecuador over a ban by football body Fifa on internationals more than 2,500m (8,200ft) above sea level.
Bolivia's President Evo Morales has joined a street football match to protest against Fifa's ban on international games at high altitude.
Fifa says there are fears that the high altitude can harm players' health and possibly distort competition.
Mr Morales said that if he and his ministers could play at more than 2,500m (8,200ft) above sea level, so too could the world's elite players.
Bolivian President Evo Morales has called a meeting of officials from Latin American countries that play their home games at altitude.
Fifa says high altitudes may harm player health and distort competition.
He vowed Latin America would not be divided by the "shady actions" of Fifa.
Mr Morales has called a meeting of officials from Latin American countries that play their home games at altitude.
Demonstrators in the Bolivian capital, La Paz, plan a protest of physical exercise to prove there is no ill effect.
President Morales will take part in a football match at Bolivia's largest stadium, the Hernando Siles.
LATIN AMERICAN CITIES Bolivia: La Paz - 3,600m (11,811ft)Ecuador: Quito - 2,800mColombia: Bogota - 2640mPeru: Cuzco - 3,500m
He said: "Without sport - without football - there cannot be South American unity. It is not possible that through some shady actions of Fifa we will see the division of South America and the division of Latin America."
BBC Americas editor Will Grant says the Bolivian president is an avid football fan and a keen player and there is little doubt he will take his fight against the ban as far as possible.
BBC Americas editor Will Grant says the Bolivian president is an avid football fan and a keen player and there is little doubt he will take his fight against the ban as far as possible.
Fighting fit
Mr Morales took to the pitch 3,600m (11,811ft) above sea level - in front of the government palace in the capital, La Paz - to prove his point.
Without sport - without football - there cannot be South American unity Evo MoralesBolivian president
"It is possible to play soccer just as much at high altitudes as low altitudes and we hope that this demonstration of officials and members of the national selection [shows that]," Mr Morales said.
"We hope they put their hands on their hearts to consider that this error discriminates and marginalises sport at altitude."
Demonstrators are also planning a physical exercise protest to prove there is no ill effect.
"Without sport - without football - there cannot be South American unity," Mr Morales said.
LATIN AMERICAN CITIES Bolivia: La Paz - 3,600m (11,811ft)Ecuador: Quito - 2,800mColombia: Bogota - 2,640mPeru: Cuzco - 3,500m
"It is not possible that through some shady actions of Fifa we will see the division of South America and the division of Latin America."
In Ecuador, the mayor of Quito has called for a rally to protest against the decision.
In Ecuador, the mayor of Quito has called for a rally to protest against the decision.
And Luis Eduardo Garzon, the mayor of a similarly affected city, Bogota in Colombia, pledged to climb the 3,300m Monserrate peak to show altitude held no dangers.
And Luis Eduardo Garzon, the mayor of a similarly affected city, Bogota in Colombia, pledged to climb the 3,300m Monserrate peak to show altitude held no dangers.
'Unity' meeting
'Unity' meeting
All the affected nations deny they have used high-altitude grounds to gain a competitive advantage.
All the affected nations deny they have used high-altitude grounds to gain a competitive advantage.
Mr Morales, a keen footballer, is unlikely to let the issue lie
Inca Garcilaso de la Vega stadium in Cuzco, Peru, would be too high
Fifa's ruling has incensed many in Bolivia in particular.
Fifa's ruling has incensed many in Bolivia in particular.
Le Razon newspaper has vowed to deluge Fifa president Sepp Blatter with one million protest letters.
Le Razon newspaper has vowed to deluge Fifa president Sepp Blatter with one million protest letters.
Fifa officials will hear the protests of the affected nations at a 14 June meeting in Asuncion, Paraguay.
Fifa officials will hear the protests of the affected nations at a 14 June meeting in Asuncion, Paraguay.
Before that Mr Morales has called a "unity" meeting of affected cities and nations for 6 June in La Paz.
Before that Mr Morales has called a "unity" meeting of affected cities and nations for 6 June in La Paz.
Peruvian and Bolivian soccer officials laid the blame for the decision on Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay.
Peruvian and Bolivian soccer officials laid the blame for the decision on Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay.
The team doctor of the Peruvian national team, Javier Arce, said matches should also be banned at hot and humid venues in lower-lying countries.
The team doctor of the Peruvian national team, Javier Arce, said matches should also be banned at hot and humid venues in lower-lying countries.
But Kleber Leite, vice president of the Brazilian club Flamengo, said the ruling was "a victory for humankind".
But Kleber Leite, vice president of the Brazilian club Flamengo, said the ruling was "a victory for humankind".
The Argentina Soccer Association said it believed altitude caused "headaches, dizziness, nausea, gastrointestinal problems and fatigue".
The Argentina Soccer Association said it believed altitude caused "headaches, dizziness, nausea, gastrointestinal problems and fatigue".
Do you agree or disagree with the ban? Do you live in one of the countries affected by it? Do you plan to take part in the protests? Send us your comments using the form below.
Do you agree or disagree with the ban? Do you live in one of the countries affected by it? Do you plan to take part in the protests? Send us your comments using the form below.
