In a move few would have predicted just a few years ago, Konami has partnered with FIFA to launch the FIFAe World Cup, with eFootball as the official game.
This is a massive shift for the competition, which was previously played on EA SPORTS FIFA series until FIFA and EA went their separate ways two years ago. Now, FIFA has turned to EA’s long-time rival, eFootball, marking a surprising twist in the football gaming landscape. If someone had said this would happen 5 years ago, they would’ve been laughed out of the room!
The competition kicks off on October 10th with qualifiers, inviting players from 18 countries, including Argentina, France, Japan, and Brazil, to fight for their spot in the finals. The tournament will be open to both mobile and console players, making it more accessible than ever for eFootball fans to get involved.
The move shows that Konami is doubling down on expanding its esports footprint, and this partnership with FIFA is a clear sign they’re serious about taking their football simulator to a new level. On the opposite side, EA has created their own esports ecosystem with FC Pro and launched their own version of the World Cup with FC Pro World Championship.
As this tournament progresses, it’ll be interesting to see how the switch to eFootball is received by both players and fans. With the rivalry between EA and Konami still alive, the FIFAe World Cup could signal a new chapter for esports in the football gaming scene.
