Konami and FIFA have officially announced a collaboration to introduce eFootball as the exclusive game for the upcoming FIFAe World Cup 2024, an international esports competition. This partnership marks a big step in Konami’s expansion of its esports program as players across two platforms—console and mobile—will compete for the title of FIFAe World Champion. The qualifiers for this tournament officially begin today, kicking off a journey that will culminate in an offline final event later this year.
The FIFAe World Cup 2024 features top talent from 18 nations spread across five continents. The tournament will begin with in-game qualifiers from October 10 to October 20, followed by National Nomination Phases from October 28 to November 3. These stages will determine which players advance to the final round, where they will face off for the honor of being crowned World Champion.
This year’s competition includes countries from Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, and South America, with nations such as Japan, Brazil, England, and Argentina participating. Players who excel in the qualifiers will not only earn their spot in the finals but will also receive exclusive in-game rewards, such as eFootball coins and skill training programs.
eFootball—the rebranded successor to the popular Pro Evolution Soccer (PES)— has since recovered from a rocky launch back in 2017. Having amassed over 750 million downloads globally, the game positioned as the cornerstone of a FIFA-backed esports event speaks to its progress as a live-service package. In a press release sent to The Nerd Stash, Koji Kobayashi, Senior Executive Officer at Konami, expressed his excitement about the partnership: “We are proud to contribute to the promotion of eFootball in collaboration with FIFA. This marks a new chapter for both esports and our beloved game, and we can’t wait for the world to experience the FIFAe World Cup™.”
Tournament Format
The FIFAe World Cup 2024 competition is divided into three key phases:
- In-game Qualifiers (October 10 – 20, 2024): Open to players from around the globe, this phase allows participants to test their skills in eFootball for a chance to advance.
- National Nomination Phases (October 28 – November 3, 2024): During this stage, each of the 18 participating nations will select their best players to compete in the finals.
- The Final Round (Late 2024): This offline event will bring together the top players from each nation in an epic showdown to determine the World Champion.
A total of 18 nations have been selected to compete in the FIFAe World Cup 2024, with the list spanning multiple continents. Representing Asia are Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and Saudi Arabia, while Europe is sending powerhouse nations such as France, Spain, and the Netherlands. Morocco will represent Africa, while Costa Rica and Argentina stand as North and South America’s competitors, respectively.
Konami and FIFA’s Commitment to Esports Growth
Both Konami and FIFA have emphasized the importance of esports in bringing together communities and promoting football in a new, engaging format. Romy Gai, FIFA’s Chief Business Officer, echoed this sentiment, saying, “This collaboration with Konami is key to our vision of making football accessible to all. Esports is an inclusive platform that allows players from different backgrounds to showcase their talents on a global scale.”
The FIFAe World Cup 2024 marks the inaugural year of this partnership, and with such a broad global reach, it’s clear that both organizations are committed to elevating esports to new heights.
Last month, Konami rolled out a major update for eFootball, enhancing gameplay and introducing new features. There’s new innovation, like the Finesse Dribble system for greater control, the Booster Slots feature to customize players, and the removal of contract limits, giving users more flexibility in their squad management.
