Summary
eFootball is Konami’s free-to-play successor to the PES series. It stands out on mobile with polished visuals, squad building around real players, and weekly data updates that mirror real-world soccer. That said, player reviews raise frequent concerns about match fairness, connection issues, and pack odds.
Gameplay
The core loop is building a squad and playing matches against the AI or other players. According to the developer, a step-by-step tutorial teaches the basics and rewards a Lionel Messi card on completion. The Smart Assist setting lets newcomers dribble, pass, and shoot without complex inputs.
Friend Matches and Co-op Matches with up to three players per side are also available. An internet connection is required at all times. In reviews, players often say defensive mechanics feel weaker since the latest major update, that controls feel delayed, and that passes don’t always go where intended, while others praise the smoother animations.
Progression & Meta
Progression centers on strengthening your squad. Players are developed through matches and special items, or automatically with the Auto Select option. Weekly data updates reflect real transfers and performances, and stadiums can be customized with tifos and giant props.
On the competitive side there are division matches and limited-time events. Reviewers frequently mention that building a strong team for free is slow, that matchmaking pairs them with much higher-rated opponents, and that a perceived balancing or scripting effect influences match outcomes.
Monetization & Ads
eFootball is free to download. On the US Google Play store, in-app purchases range from $0.19 to $109.99 per item. The game uses loot boxes bought with eFootball Coins that contain random rewards; the developer notes that access to these is restricted or requires parental consent in some countries, including the US.
The store listing indicates ads, but reviews don’t flag ads as an issue. The bigger debate is pack odds: players often say featured cards are hard to pull and that competing without spending takes a long time, though some describe the game as reasonably free-to-play friendly. Isolated reports also mention purchase delivery issues.
Who Is It For?
A good fit for soccer fans who enjoy building squads with real players and have a stable internet connection. Friends who want to team up will appreciate the co-op modes.
It may be less suitable for those who want to play offline, expect consistent and fair competitive matches, or dislike randomized pack systems.
💬 What players say
👍 Most praised
- They find the graphics and gameplay quality excellent for a mobile game
- Many consider it one of the best soccer games available on mobile
- Some feel recent changes made movement and passing smoother
👎 Most common complaints
- They feel matches are scripted and outcomes are out of their control
- They report frequent lag, freezes, and disconnects even on stable connections
- They say matchmaking pairs them with much higher-rated opponents
Summarized from the 40 most helpful user reviews on Google Play; not verbatim quotes.
Pros / Cons
Pros
- Impressive visuals and animations for mobile
- Weekly data updates reflecting real transfers
- Smart Assist makes controls approachable for newcomers
- Co-op matches with up to three players per side
- Stadium and squad customization options
Cons
- Perceived scripting or balancing in matches is the dominant complaint
- Frequent reports of lag, disconnects, and freezes online
- Randomized loot boxes make specific cards hard to obtain
- Matchmaking often pairs players with much stronger squads
- Always-online requirement
Score
Its presentation and soccer feel are strong, but widespread complaints about match fairness, connectivity, and pack odds noticeably weigh on the experience.
Our editor works in the mobile game industry, so reviews may be biased. How we review and score games →
Frequently asked questions
Is eFootball free?
Yes. eFootball is free to download on Android (Google Play) and iOS (App Store) and offers optional in-app purchases.
Does eFootball have ads?
Yes, eFootball shows ads. For its genre, we rate its balance of ads and purchases 6.0/10.
Is eFootball worth playing?
We give eFootball 6.5/10. Its presentation and soccer feel are strong, but widespread complaints about match fairness, connectivity, and pack odds noticeably weigh on the experience.
Which platforms is eFootball available on?
eFootball is available on Android (Google Play) and iOS (App Store).
