世界杯现已扩军至 48 支球队，但其比赛往往具有消耗性，常规时间场均仅进 2.6 球，在淘汰赛后期则降至 2.3 球，低于英超联赛的 2.8 球。这种风格在上届赛事中尤为明显，其每 90 分钟的射门次数比英超少 16%，犯规次数则多出 17%。

对于排名较低的国家，防守战术非常有效，自 1998 年以来，有六支排名在后三分之二的球队闯入半决赛，常规时间平均比分为 1.1 比 0.7。为了吸引年轻观众，其他运动已成功修改了规则，例如 NBA 自 20 世纪 50 年代以来将场均得分从 160 分提升至 230 分。

由于美国将承办本届赛事 104 场比赛中的 78 场，国际足联正在考虑诸如放宽越位等规则创新。修复视频助理裁判（VAR）也是当务之急，因为调查显示 72% 的英国球迷认为它降低了观赛乐趣。

The World Cup, now expanding to 48 teams, often yields attritional matches, averaging just 2.6 goals in normal time and 2.3 in late knockout stages, compared to the English Premier League's 2.8. This style is evident in the last tournament, which saw 16% fewer shots per 90 minutes and 17% more fouls than the Premier League.

For lower-ranked nations, defensive tactics are effective, as since 1998, six teams outside the top third reached the semi-finals with an average score of 1.1 to 0.7 in normal time. To keep younger audiences engaged, other sports have successfully modified rules, such as the NBA raising average game points from 160 to 230 since the 1950s.

With the United States hosting 78 of the tournament's 104 matches, FIFA is considering rule innovations like relaxing offsides. Fixing VAR is also a priority, as a survey shows 72% of British fans find it makes watching football less enjoyable.

Source: Why the World Cup produces an ugly version of the beautiful game

Subtitle: FIFA could emulate other sports by tweaking rules to generate more excitement

Dateline: June 4th 2026