FIFA | eFootball Chosen as One of the Official Games for FIFAe World Cup 2025

Expanded FIFA-Konami Collaboration Advances Global Football Esports for 2025 and 2026 FIFAe World Cups on Mobile and Console Platforms

Konami has announced an official update regarding its expanded collaboration with FIFA to advance global football esports. The partnership will continue through FIFAe Competitions in 2025 and 2026, including the FIFAe World Cup for mobile and console platforms. This extension was revealed during the eFootball World Festival in Tokyo on July 21, 2023, an event celebrating the 30th anniversary of the eFootball series. As part of this renewed agreement, FIFA and Konami plan to integrate eFootball into the FIFA World Cup events in 2025 and 2026. The 2025 FIFA World Cup, featuring eFootball on mobile and consoles, will culminate with finals held in Saudi Arabia in December, as part of the FIFA 2025 Finals. This upcoming tournament is set to include more participating nations, supported by an expanded global qualification process and a new regional selection phase for continental representatives from regions like Asia and Europe. Cooperation with FIFPro is also expected to broaden the pool of clubs and players for the final stages.

Extended FIFA-Konami Collaboration Broadens Access to Global Football Esports for 2025 World Cups on Mobile and Console Platforms

To maximize accessibility, the qualification period for both eFootball events will be extended, incorporating local and regional activations. This initiative aims to increase opportunities for countries worldwide to compete, fostering a sustainable and truly global esports ecosystem. Japanese representatives will secure their spots through the Japan National Team Selection Tournament 2025, organized by the Japan Football Association (JFA). Further details, including schedules and registration procedures, will be available on the official eFootball website, FIFA.gg, and JFA.jp once finalized. The eFootball World Festival in Tokyo is also available for viewing on the eFootball YouTube Channel. The partnership builds on the success of previous events, such as the FIFAe World Cup 2024, which saw over 14 million players globally participate in mobile and console qualification last December. The console edition’s live-streamed finals achieved a record 400,000 concurrent viewers, marking the highest viewership for any eFootball event to date. The mobile edition featured 16 countries, while the console version included 18.

Expanded FIFA-Konami Collaboration for Future Soccer Innovations with eFootball’s Growing Influence and FIFPro’s Advocacy

Koji Kobayashi, Executive Director at Konami Digital Entertainment, emphasized the company’s commitment to growing the tournament’s scale and invited fans to join the excitement. Romy Gai, FIFA Business Director, noted that the continued expansion demonstrates shared goals and allows for sustainable improvements to the tournament structure, enhancing experiences for both fans and players. Andrew Orsatti, Commercial Director at FIFPro, highlighted the significance of the multi-year deal, coinciding with FIFPro’s 60th year of advocating for players’ rights. He praised Konami as a “digital entertainment trailblazer” and acknowledged their shared vision for the future, especially with eFootball nearing a billion downloads and its 30-year legacy in football games. Orsatti stated, “It’s an immense honor for us to keep working alongside one of the world’s most influential leaders in sports digital innovation as we push boundaries together, not just in gaming but also in shaping the future of professional soccer.” He also noted that the previous FIFA World Cup event generated considerable excitement in Argentina, underscoring eFootball’s role as a vital communication tool for football fans.

Global Support for Transforming Football & Esports with eFootball’s Innovative Influence and International Collaboration

Support for the initiative extends globally. Tsuneyasu Miyamoto, President of the Malaysian Football Association (FAM), expressed pride in supporting the venture, noting how the collaboration has “reshaped the worldwide football and esports scene” and ignited ambition for digital football players in Malaysia. The Turkish Football Federation also recognized eFootball’s growing significance in modern football, viewing FIFAe as an innovative platform that fosters the next generation of athletes and promotes innovation, inclusivity, and international collaboration. Konami has a robust history of hosting esports tournaments with its game content both domestically and internationally. The eFootball series was featured as a demonstration game at the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta-Palembang and has been part of the World Esports Championship organized by the International Esports Federation (IESF). Konami is also expanding initiatives that blend esports with traditional sports, including organizing a Club event for the eFootball 2024 Championship alongside European professional football clubs and co-organizing the e.league eFootball with the Japanese Professional Football League (J.League), involving all 40 clubs from J1 and J2.

eFootball’s Globally Popular Gameplay Expands Digital Football Engagement with Konami and FIFA’s Collaboration

eFootball, originally known as Winning Eleven, launched in 1995 and is enjoyed by football fans globally. With over 900 million sales and downloads, it has become a prominent football game. In “Dream Team” mode, players can collect and train real superstar players from matches, famous league stars, and legendary figures who made history in football, building unique squads for competitive battles. The “Co-op” mode offers the excitement of teaming up with friends online in 3 vs. 3 games. eFootball has firmly established itself as a competitive esports title in Japan and beyond, furthering digital football engagement worldwide. More information is available on the official eFootball website. Konami and FIFA’s continued partnership aims to unify football fans and players globally, extending the reach of competitive digital football.

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