Konami has announced that as part of the ongoing 30th anniversary celebrations for eFootball, some more legendary players are debuting, along with a new club to play as.
Well, we say “new club”, but we mean new as in “new to eFootball”, because as you know, certain clubs don’t appear in certain games due to licensing issues.
The Epic Legends Assemble event has been updated with Gareth Bale and Wayne Rooney from today (July 21st), though Konami says that “more Legends and exclusive designs will roll out throughout the year.” Rooney will have a special design to commemorate the 30th anniversary of eFootball.
July 24th is the date that Bundesliga team Borussia Dortmund joins eFootball with a “club selection event” offering eight players, three of which can be grabbed for free.
“It’s a pleasure to welcome Borussia Dortmund back to our eFootball™ family,” explains Shinji Namekawa, KONAMI Europe’s President. “With its iconic Signal Iduna Park, passionate supporters, and rich footballing legacy, Borussia Dortmund embodies the spirit and authenticity that KONAMI strives to deliver. We look forward to once again working with one of the true giants of German football.”
All of this was announced at the eFootball World Festival in Tokyo, where Zico showed up. Zico said: “It’s an honour and a pleasure to be here with KONAMI. I’m grateful for my time as manager of the Japan National Team. I look back fondly on those moments where we achieved many great victories together and helped raise Japan’s name on the world stage. That journey has led me to this special moment today, having been featured on the cover of the game and having my name connected to the franchise.”
Mid-August will see the 2026 season update start, whereby “new booster Link Up and Treasure Link will be implemented ahead of offline events worldwide”. Konami says: “Link Up is a new manager booster feature that allows two people who meet certain conditions to perform special combination plays or enhance their abilities during specific plays.
Treasure Link is a new feature that allows players to earn rewards by connecting squares vertically, horizontally, and diagonally like a Bingo card. There are three different types of Treasure Link and these can be exchanged with a player’s opponent – and special varieties can also be obtained at upcoming offline events.”
Elsewhere, eFootball and Konami has extended its partnership with FIFA through to 2026.
Christian Volk, Director of eFootball and Gaming, Fédération Internationale de Football Association, said: “The fan feedback after last year’s event was incredible and confirmed our vision to provide a home for football esports to a range of different communities. Confirming these free-to-play titles and the event for two seasons is a significant step on our journey, enabling accessibility for nations and players from around the world. The extension of our partnerships highlights the shared ambitions of everyone involved and allows us to sustainably develop the competition structure even further to offer fans and players the best possible experience.”
Andrew Orsatti, Commercial Director, International Professional Footballers’ Association, commented: “As we celebrate 60 years of championing the rights of players worldwide, this multi-year renewal with KONAMI comes at a pivotal moment in FIFPRO’s history. Our enduring partnership with KONAMI has been fundamental in advancing our mission to empower and protect professional football players across the globe.
KONAMI stands as a true pioneer in digital entertainment, and as we approach one billion downloads of eFootball, it is clear that their forward-thinking vision and commitment to excellence mirror our own values. With 30 years of groundbreaking contributions to football gaming, KONAMI’s legacy speaks for itself. We are deeply honored to continue collaborating with one of the world’s most influential leaders in digital sports innovation, as we push boundaries together, not only in the gaming world but in advancing the future of professional football.”
eFootball is out now and free to play on PC, consoles, and mobile.
