FIFA’s Partnership with Konami Explained

FIFA's Partnership with Konami Explained

As a seasoned gamer with over three decades of FIFA gaming under my belt, the recent turn of events in the football simulation world has left me both intrigued and a tad nostalgic. The FIFA-EA Sports saga was as much a part of my childhood as my first pair of cleats or the thrill of scoring the winning goal in the school yard.


As a dedicated gamer, I’m excited to share that FIFA has teamed up with Konami Digital Entertainment Co., creators of eFootball (previously known as Pro Evolution Soccer). This partnership is all about ensuring a seamless experience for the FIFAe World Cup esports tournament, which used to be hosted on the EA Sports FIFA platform. While many football fans might still link FIFA with the iconic EA Sports franchise, this alliance with Konami and eFootball – fierce competitors of EA Sports FIFA – could signal a shift in distancing their brand from the renowned publisher.

FIFA’s High-Profile Split From EA Sports And The Move To Konami

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve been counting down the days for the annual release of FIFA games from EA Sports for more than three decades. These games have not only been a staple in my gaming routine but also a shared cultural experience, bridging the gap between casual gamers and die-hard football enthusiasts alike. They offered us an opportunity to step onto the field with our favorite teams and players in legendary stadiums. Unfortunately, after years of collaboration, FIFA and EA Sports parted ways due to some unresolved disagreements regarding licensing fees.

FIFA demanded a higher annual payment than the $100 million EA was prepared to relinquish, and this financial disagreement ultimately caused a significant rift between these gaming titans. This split resulted in EA Sports renaming its popular football series as EA Sports FC, while FIFA announced that it was seeking new collaborations for the development of a fresh simulation title slated for release in 2024.

Although it hasn’t happened just yet, Gianni Infantino, FIFA’s president, expressed that the organization is actively working towards bringing the new game into existence. In the interim, FIFA has made a strategic move in the sports gaming industry by partnering with Rocket League and Football Manager for this year’s FIFAe World Cup Tournament. More recently, Konami and eFootball have joined this lineup as well.

The Details Behind The Konami X FIFAe World Cup

Two competitions are being planned to kick off later this year in the world of eFootball, one for players using mobile devices and another for console users. This aligns with eFootball’s goal of bringing joy to the global football community through esports, as it will be among the first significant sports tournaments to include a category for mobile gamers. This year, representatives from 18 countries have been invited to participate in these events.

  • Argentina
  • Brazil
  • Costa Rica
  • England
  • France
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Japan
  • Malaysia
  • Morocco
  • Netherlands
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • Thailand
  • Turkey

As a passionate enthusiast, I’d share that based on factors like playerbase, reputation, and past successes in comparable esports events, Konami has chosen these nations. The qualifying playoff matches commenced on October 10, and the champions will proudly represent their country in this tournament. Notably, the game is available for free to those eager to give it a first-time try!

Romy Gai, FIFA’s Chief Business Officer, is thrilled about our impending partnership with KONAMI. This union not only complements our goal of fostering football on a global scale but also offers a stage for players to exhibit their talents. We firmly support an all-encompassing platform that accommodates various communities in the FIFAe competitions.

This partnership between Konami and FIFA doesn’t guarantee the production of Konami’s next mainline FIFA-style game, but it underscores FIFA’s growing influence in the competitive gaming sector. By teaming up with Konami, FIFA is emphasizing its ongoing commitment to being a significant player within the industry, even after parting ways with EA Sports. As the world’s leading football organization, FIFA aims to further develop the sport across various domains, and their collaboration with Konami could help sustain their esports tournament by creating a compelling football game title that continues to uphold its esteemed reputation.

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2024-10-22 16:34