FIFA has announced a new partnership with Konami, marking a significant development in the realm of soccer eSports.
As part of this collaboration, FIFA will incorporate Konami’s eFootball into two FIFAe World Cup tournaments scheduled for later this year: one focusing on mobile devices and the other on consoles.
For decades, Konami’s Pro Evolution Soccer (PES), now rebranded as eFootball, has been a competitor to EA Sports’ former FIFA series in the soccer gaming landscape. PES gained popularity in the 1990s for its realistic gameplay, but FIFA emerged as the dominant force during the 2010s.
Both FIFA and Konami highlighted that this partnership aims to enhance the connection between players and football through unique competitions. The FIFAe World Cup events will enable participants to represent their countries in a virtual setting, fostering a sense of community among football enthusiasts.
FIFA’s leadership expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, aligning it with the organization’s objective of promoting football on a global scale. FIFA’s chief business officer emphasized the importance of creating an inclusive environment for diverse communities to engage in eSports as a key aspect of FIFA’s future initiatives.
The FIFAe World Cup 2024 will feature two competition formats: a 2v2 mode for console gamers and a 1v1 mode for mobile gamers, allowing various avenues for participation. The qualifying rounds will commence in October 2024, with players from 18 countries and territories, including renowned football teams such as Brazil, France, and Argentina, competing for a spot in the finals. The championship event will later gather elite players from around the globe for a monumental competition.
