How can Association Football increase Goal-scoring and Entertainment Value?

How can we increase the number of goals scored in association football? This is something that every player and coach dedicates themselves to every day. Here, we will consider how the rules can contribute to increasing the number of goals and the entertainment value of the game.

Changes in the 2026 World Cup in North America

The 2026 World Cup in North America saw enhanced entertainment value both on and off the pitch. Off the pitch, halftime shows were significantly improved. It became the first World Cup to feature a halftime show in the final. The World Cup of association football is the most watched sporting event in the world, and the showtimes are expected to attract the attention of people who are not necessarily interested in association football.

The number of participating teams has expanded from 32 to 48 countries, making the World Cup more accessible to a wider audience through the participation of their national teams. However, there are concerns that the level of competition may decline. Future World Cups will likely start slowly, gaining momentum as stronger teams advance.

On the pitch, hydration breaks were introduced between halves, making it closer to a quarter system. Prior to that, in 2017, Provolsive Football (Proball) announced the quarter system as its rule. Ensuring adequate hydration helps maintain player energy levels and facilitates tactical instructions and changes. It also makes it easier to seamlessly insert commercials during match broadcasts. Previously, players would take short breaks or stall for time when the flow of the game stalled, but now, dedicated rest periods are provided, allowing spectators and viewers to take a breather.

Many rule changes were made just before major tournaments, testing the adaptability of both referees and players. The International Football Association Board (IFAB) decided on rule changes to enhance the entertainment value of the sport ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America, primarily including the following:

• Throw-in countdown (5 seconds).

• Goal kick countdown (5 seconds).

• Substitution time limit (10 seconds).

• Off-pitch treatment (1 minute).

• Hydration break (3-minute water break).

• Expanded VAR application (corner kick decisions, second yellow card, before set pieces).

Furthermore, the goalkeeper’s countdown (8 seconds) was introduced in 2025, though not immediately before the World Cup.

The number of substitutions was also expanded after the COVID-19 pandemic (5 players, 6 in extra time, and a substitute player for concussions). This increased the energy of the players on the pitch, expanded tactical options, and improved the entertainment value.

Rule changes at the 1994 World Cup in the USA

The 1994 World Cup in the USA, held in the entertainment powerhouse of the United States, saw several changes. The 1994 tournament increased the points awarded for a win from 2 to 3. It was also the first World Cup to impose restrictions on back passes to the goalkeeper. The aim was to encourage a more offensive style of play by increasing the points awarded for a win and to correct the time-wasting tactic of back passes to the goalkeeper.

A proposal to increase the size of the goalposts to increase scoring was made, but it was not implemented. Even increasing the width and height of the goalposts by approximately 10% would likely increase scoring. The rule changes themselves are simple and easy to understand. However, it was obvious that this would be a significant burden, as it would require replacing existing goalposts worldwide.

The emergence of new tactics and new rules

Looking back at the history of football, while new tactics that increase scoring have often been overlooked, new tactics that prevent scoring have been devised, countermeasures have been considered, and rules have been revised to increase scoring. This cycle has repeated itself.

A prime example of this is offside. Minor rule changes are debated almost every year. Previously, the offside line was the third player from the back, but in 1925 it was changed to the second player from the back. This resulted in approximately a 30% increase in goals scored in the English First Division. The third-man rule was introduced in 1866, shortly after the unified rules of association football were established.

What rule changes are possible to increase scoring in future football? Let’s consider this carefully, taking into account the history so far.

Offside rule changes

Making the offside rule even more advantageous to the attacking side would increase scoring.

For example, what effect could be expected if the application of offside was limited to the penalty area? It would allow wingers to stay in deep positions on both the left and right sides. While wing attacks have always been effective, they were intended to break the offside line and get behind the defensive line. The intention of getting behind the defence remains, but it’s now possible to remain deep even before the ball is distributed. As a result, the defending fullbacks and wingbacks will likely position themselves deep on both sides.

The defending team will push their defensive line up to a certain extent to make their formation more compact and create a defensive network. However, if the opposing wingers stay deep, the defending team will be forced to stay deep as well, stretching the entire formation vertically and creating wide spaces in the midfield. This increased space is advantageous for the attacking team and increases scoring opportunities.

The traditional delicate offside line tactics will disappear. When the defending team positions their defensive line deep, it becomes more difficult for the attacking team to get behind the opposing defence, requiring greater agility and technique to slip through the defence.

Deepening the defensive line has another effect. It reduces the effectiveness of pressing tactics. The evolution of organised pressing has troubled attacking teams, and a weaker press also gives the attacking side an advantage.

Whether maintaining a compact formation or stretching the formation vertically is more entertaining is a matter of opinion.

Reducing the number of players on a team

Increased space makes it easier to move the ball, giving the attacking side an advantage. Reducing the number of players from 11 to 10, 9 and 8 can be expected to increase the number of goals scored. While the average number of goals per match in 11-a-side football is just under 3, in 8-a-side football, which is popular among junior generations, the average is approximately 4 goals per match, despite the significantly shorter match time (less than 90 minutes).

On the other hand, reducing the number of players also reduces the number of passing and tactical options. Whether a high number of goals or a wide range of tactical options is more entertaining is likely to depend on the viewer’s values. Casual viewers who are not very familiar with association football may prefer high-scoring games, while core fans with playing experience may prefer games with more tactical options.

One way to increase space is to enlarge the pitch size instead of reducing the number of players. However, this would require redesigning stadiums worldwide, which would be an enormous burden and unrealistic.

Strengthening restrictions on the defending side during free kicks

Increased space leads to more goals because it makes defence more difficult. Making defence more difficult in other ways can also be expected to increase goals.

For example, imposing restrictions on free-kick walls would increase the probability of scoring. Currently, the distance is 10 yards; extending it slightly would allow free-kick takers to kick the ball with more force. If wall formation were completely prohibited, goals would increase even further. This would also change the qualities required of free-kick takers. Takers who can shoot powerful, straight shots would be preferred over those who shoot spinning, dipping balls. Also, takers who can shoot unpredictable, no-spin shots would continue to be highly valued.

Stricter penalties for fouls

In association football, fouls are overwhelmingly committed by the defending side rather than the attacking side. Stricter foul judging would make defence more difficult and increase goals.

In midfield, plays that would be fouls often go unpunished near the goal line. Many plays are on the brink of scoring, and physical contact is intense. Referees tend to let play continue even if there’s only slight contact. If fouls were called in the defensive third using the same standards as in the middle third, the number of goals scored would likely increase.

On the other hand, some spectators and viewers enjoy the intense competition near the goal line, so reducing physical contact and increasing goals might not necessarily enhance entertainment value.

As of 2026, a red card means expulsion and a player cannot play again in that match. Introducing a temporary expulsion similar to the sin bin in rugby union would also be possible. For example, a yellow card could result in a 5-10 minute temporary expulsion. The team with a numerical advantage would have a more favourable position and more scoring opportunities. Furthermore, players being more careful to avoid temporary expulsions would increase scoring opportunities.

Increasing Scoring Options

The plan to enlarge the goalposts, considered before the 1994 World Cup in the USA, was not adopted. However, it is possible to increase scoring options in other ways.

Among the many football sports, association football, with only one scoring method, is rather a minority. 1 goal is scored when the ball is placed inside the goalposts. Therefore, the defending team focuses their attention on protecting the central goalposts.

For example, in rugby union, a try is scored when the ball reaches the goal line and is placed down, adding 5 points. The goal line is the same width as the field, making it difficult to concentrate defence in one place. On the other hand, the conversion kick (2 points) after a try is based on the try’s location, and the central area, where kicks are easier to execute, is highly valued, giving the defending team some incentive to strengthen their central defence. Furthermore, if the defending team is too focused on tries, there is also the drop goal (3 points) scoring method.

Increasing scoring options in association football would also increase the number of goals scored. Additionally, dispersing players’ concentration away from the centre would create more space in the centre, increasing the chances of scoring through the central goalposts.

For example, one could record the number of corner kicks and, in the event of a tie, determine the winner based on the number of corner kicks. For instance, directly assigning 0.1 points to each corner kick would increase the effect of dispersing defensive efforts.

Furthermore, to disperse the concentration of attacks in the centre, how about allowing scoring by placing the ball with the sole of the foot within the corner kick arc? Let’s call this a “corner point.” Similar to a try in rugby, but scoring is limited to within the corner kick arc. By changing the value of corner points, the concentration of attacks in the central goal can be adjusted. For example, if corner points are only applied in the event of a tie, their effect is limited. On the other hand, if scoring through the central goalposts is worth 10 points and corner points are worth 1 point, the direct impact on the score would necessitate greater defensive effort from the defending side in the corners.

If scoring through the central goalposts remains at 1 point, corner points could be assigned 0.1 points. In that case, the final score would be a precise number, such as “3.2 to 1.5”.

It would be more effective to impose certain restrictions on scoring corner points from corner kicks. For example, how about requiring the ball to move 10 yards away from the goal before scoring a corner point?

Increasing the score doesn’t necessarily translate to increased entertainment value

We’ve discussed how to increase the goals of association football and improve its entertainment value. However, in the first place, a higher number of goals does not necessarily mean higher entertainment value. It is an oversimplification to associate only an increase in the number of goals with an increase in entertainment value, and it does not necessarily mean that the sport will become more interesting.

More scoring opportunities make it easier for skill differences to be reflected in the score, reducing upsets. Giant killings are less likely in sports like basketball and rugby union, where there are many scoring opportunities and the probability of a scoreless draw is extremely low. While there are no draws in basketball, a scoreless draw is almost unthinkable. In rugby union, the probability of a draw is around 1% to 5%, and the probability of a scoreless draw is about 0.01%.

On the other hand, in association football matches, there’s about a 25% chance of a draw and about a 10% chance of a scoreless draw. Football fans, even when an underdog club faces a big club, still hope for a slim but realistic chance of a draw or victory.

The fact that the match doesn’t always unfold as expected is part of the appeal of football. To enhance the entertainment value of football, a balance between increasing the goals and maintaining a close, even contest is crucial.

Author: Takuya Nagata. Amazon Profile

Follow @nagatackle

A novel writer and creator. Travelled to Brazil and trained football at CFZ do Rio (Centro de Futebol Zico Sociedade Esportiva) in Rio de Janeiro. Played soccer for the Urawa Reds (Urawa Red Diamonds), one of the biggest football clubs in Japan, and toured Europe. Retired at a young age and voyaged alone to England and graduated from UCA, the UK’s university. Established careers as a journalist, football coach, consultant, etc. across Europe such as Spain. Made the managerial debut at the age of 14 and also served as the manager for an English university’s football club. Knowledgeable in creative and technology fields as well. Launched “MINIRISM” (minirism), the art movement that contributes to the development of societies, the knowledge hub “The Minimalist” and the SPACE Culture & Entertainment hub “The Space-Timer 0.” Also writing for “Football Game Sphere.” The founder of “Propulsive Football” (PROBALL), the world’s first-ever competitive mixed football, facilitating diversity and spirit for equal participation in society.

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