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The world's most amazing football pitches – in pictures

As the kickoff for the World Cup fast approaches, we track down the strangest, remotest and most striking pitches in the world, from Tajikistan to Morocco and Greenland

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2000 metres above sea level, the Ottmar Hitzfeld Stadium in Switzerland is Europe's highest pitch
At 2,000 metres above sea level, the Ottmar Hitzfeld Stadium in Switzerland is Europe's highest pitch. Photograph: Anthony Cullen/Ford Fascinating World of Football
A football pitch surrounded by buildings in the middle of La Paz, Bolivia
A football pitch in the middle of La Paz, Bolivia. Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images
A floating pitch at Ko Panyi Muslim stilt village in southern Thailand
A floating pitch at Ko Panyi Muslim stilt village in southern Thailand. Photograph: Larry Goodman/Alamy
A desert pitch at Tamnougalt village, near Agdz, Morocco
A desert pitch near Agdz, Morocco. Photograph: Cultura/Rex
The Adidas Futsal Park in Tokyo sits on top of the Tokyu Toyoko department store, high above Shibuyu crossing
The Adidas Futsal Park in Tokyo sits on top of the Tokyu Toyoko department store, high above Shibuyu district. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/FIFA/Getty Images
Matches in Gibraltar are played in the shadow of the Rock at Victoria Stadium
Matches in Gibraltar are played in the shadow of the Rock at Victoria Stadium. Photograph: Marcos Moreno/AFP/Getty Images
A community football pitch in the Sao Carlos favela, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
A community football pitch in the Sao Carlos favela, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photograph: Tony Burns/Getty Images/Lonely Planet Image
The Float at Marina Bay, Singapore is the world's largest floating football stadium
The Float at Marina Bay, Singapore, is the world's largest floating football stadium. Photograph: Paul Briden/Alamy
A football match in Tasiilaq, Greenland
A football match in Tasiilaq, Greenland. Photograph: Grant Dixon/Getty Images/Lonely Planet Image
A remote pitch in Tajikistan at 2,500
A pitch in Tajikistan at 2,500 metres. Photograph: Jean-Philippe Tournut/Getty Images

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