Football is a game rooted deeply in tradition and is undergoing a transformative revolution due to advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). Renowned sports computer scientists anticipate massive changes in team sports, particularly football, over the next five years. Here’s a deep dive into how AI is reshaping football in unprecedented ways.

How Will AI Change Football in the Future?

The biggest transformation lies in scouting. Currently, only about 10% of professional clubs utilize data scouting. However, this number is expected to skyrocket. Leagues worldwide will soon collect comprehensive tracking and positional data. This data will allow clubs to filter and identify top players based on specific metrics. Video scouting and live monitoring will enhance talent evaluation, reducing the need for traditional scouts. Data scouting will also become prevalent in youth divisions, streamlining the process of identifying and nurturing future wonderkids.

AI in Talent Search

Tools are being developed, using historical data from football clubs to forecast player potential. For instance, they can predict whether U12 players should advance to U14 and estimate future market values and professional playtime. This predictive power is rooted in historical data, enhancing future talent estimation.

Addressing Biological Age in Players

AI’s impact isn’t limited to talent search; it also considers players’ biological development. Techniques like BioBending assess players based on their biological age rather than calendar age, addressing the “relative age effect.” Younger players who often play with more developed peers see benefits in their growth. By incorporating AI, the evaluation of these factors becomes more precise, considering the “reversed relative age effect.” This phenomenon refers to the advantages that relatively older athletes within an age group have over their younger peers, often due to physical and psychological maturity. 

Making Advanced Tech Accessible to Amateur Clubs

Expensive technology isn’t just for elite clubs. Affordable camera systems that provide video and tracking data have been around for years. As technology becomes more economical, amateur clubs can also utilize AI for better training and talent assessment. This democratization of technology creates new business opportunities for tech companies and provides smaller clubs with data-driven insights.

AI in Rehabilitation and Injury Prevention

Injury prediction is another fascinating application of AI in football. By analyzing vast amounts of historical and medical data, AI can predict injury probabilities if players are not rested adequately. Research is ongoing to correlate match situations, like specific tackles, with high injury risks. This predictive capability is invaluable for understanding injury histories and managing player health more effectively.

AI-Managing Training Breaks

AI isn’t just about performance; it’s also about optimization. By analyzing historical data and performance metrics, AI can suggest when an athlete needs a break. The AI classifies training data and uses past information to regulate training intensity, ensuring athletes don’t overtrain and reduce injury risks.

AI in Learning and Movement Techniques

Movement techniques in football are highly individual. Experts argue against standardizing techniques as top performances arise from varied biomechanical and anthropometric conditions. The world’s top tennis players, for example, have unique techniques despite their success. AI’s use in movement technique is complex and needs substantial investment to yield meaningful results.

AI in Tactical Analysis

When it comes to tactics, AI is incredibly sophisticated. For instance, the German Bundesliga uses AI to analyze spatial control, pressing values, and other tactical metrics in real-time. Highly reliable sensor data from the ball and players ensure accurate tracking, offering superior data for meaningful AI-supported tactical analysis.

Embrace the Future of Football with AI

AI is not just a futuristic concept; it is actively transforming the world of football. From scouting and talent management to rehabilitation and tactical analysis, AI offers deeper insights and smarter decision-making. As these technologies become more accessible, even amateur clubs can leverage AI for better performance and management. Football is stepping into an era where data and intelligence are as crucial as skill and strategy on the pitch.