eFootball 2022: price and release date for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One

Konami is poised to release eFootball 2022, the new iteration of the long-running football sim hitherto known as Pro Evolution Soccer, or Winning Eleven in Japan.

Last year, the game had become eFootball Pro Evolution Soccer 2021 and eFootball Winning Eleven 2021, and now the old names - which first appeared in 1999 and 1996, respectively - have disappeared altogether.

The name change is not the only way in which eFootball 2022 represents a significant departure from PES/WE, as Konami has introduced a new gameplay engine, Unreal 4, and has opted to make the game available in digital format only.

eFootball price: free to play!

Another major difference to PES/WE is that eFootball will be free to play, at least in its most basic guise. Gamers will be able to add features by purchasing extra, paid-for content.

eFootball release date: 30 September

eFootball 2022 is scheduled to be released on Thursday 30 September 2021.

The game’s initial version will only have nine teams - Arsenal, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Corinthians, Flamengo, Juventus, Manchester United, Sao Paulo and River Plate - but more are expected to arrive when eFootball’s first update lands in autumn 2021.

According to Konami, this update will also bring with it new features such as ‘Creative Team’ mode, which the publisher says will allow you to “build your own dream team”.

What platforms will eFootball 2022 be available on?

eFootball will be available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One and PC. Konami says the autumn 2021 update will extend the game’s compatibility to iOS and Android devices.

eFootball will allow for cross-generation play - meaning those with a PS5 can take on users of the PS4, and Xbox Series X/S gamers can play against someone with an Xbox One.

What’s more, Konami has indicated that updated versions of the game will allow complete cross-platform play, regardless of what console each user has.

eFootball: take a look at the trailer

In July 2021, Konami released this trailer for eFootball:

FIFA 22 set for 1 October release

The day after eFootball is launched, Electronic Arts is due to release the Standard Edition of FIFA 22, the latest version of the gaming market’s dominant football sim.

The Standard Edition launch follows that of FIFA 22’s more expensive and more expansive Ultimate Edition, which goes on sale on Monday 27 September.

Since 22 September, a sneak preview of FIFA 22 has been available to EA Play members. Find out more about how to get early access to the game.