Old Rivals Konami and FIFA Sign eFootball Esports Deal After EA Sports Split

The football video game landscape shifted today as Konami and FIFA — long-time rivals on the virtual pitch — signed their first deal following EA Sports’ departure from the FIFA franchise. However, the partnership is limited to esports for now.

For years, Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer series battled EA Sports' dominant FIFA franchise before evolving into the free-to-play eFootball. EA continued to lead the market by securing major licenses like the Premier League and La Liga, while Konami struggled to compete.

EA parted ways with FIFA in 2022, reportedly after the organization, which governs global football associations, demanded over $1 billion per four-year World Cup cycle. EA rebranded its football series as EA Sports FC in 2023 with minimal changes. Since then, rumors circulated that Take-Two’s 2K Games might acquire the FIFA license, though CEO Strauss Zelnick indicated in August that any attempt to rival EA Sports FC would be challenging.

Now, Konami and FIFA have teamed up for esports, with eFootball set to be used in this year's FIFAe World Cup on both console and mobile. Previously, EA Sports’ FIFA games were the platform of choice. This deal doesn’t mean Konami will take over the FIFA gaming series or rebrand eFootball to FIFA, but it signals a significant development in the changing dynamics between game developers and football rights holders.

Koji Kobayashi, Senior Executive Officer, Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd, and Romy Gai, Chief Business Officer at FIFA.

EA will be keeping a close eye on the situation. In July, EA Sports expressed openness to genuine competition in the football video game market amid speculation that a new FIFA game could be on the horizon.

In May, FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed plans for a new FIFA game, stating: "We will create a new e-game, because the football simulation game is called FIFA. For millions of kids worldwide, when they play a football simulation game, they play FIFA. It can’t be called anything else.”

“We’re working with new partners to develop the best football game out there. Get ready for the next FIFA e-game.”

If Take-Two does secure the FIFA license, it might launch under the title FIFA 2K, mirroring the success of its annualized sports games like NBA 2K. Should Konami get involved, perhaps we could see eFIFA, Pro Evolution FIFA, or simply a return to FIFA with a year attached.