Since its rebranding from Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) to eFootball, Konami’s football franchise has shifted to a free-to-play model—and with it, fans have seen significant changes in content and philosophy. As of eFootball 2026, one key feature remains conspicuously absent: Master League. What’s behind this omission? And what does 2026 bring? Let’s dive in.

Official Roadmap and Delays

• Master League was originally slated as paid downloadable content (DLC), with promises to bring offline career-like gameplay to eFootball around 2023. But even by late 2024, it had not materialized on any platform.
• The Wikipedia entry points out that despite the roadmap announcement in May 2022, modes like Master League and Edit Mode remain unreleased on PC or consoles, with no new statements from Konami since.

• A Reddit user unearthed an older interview with former eFootball producer Seitaro Kimura, where he stated: “The Master League is under construction… we think it can be implemented around next spring.”
  “Voice about Master League is louder… not neglecting other modes…”
• Another widespread community sentiment: “No major gameplay update, no graphic update, no new modes, STILL no offline contents.”
  “If eFootball 2026 doesn’t bring back Master League, its future will be lost. It was the soul of the game.”

These voices underline the strong nostalgic value Master League holds among the PES fanbase—and the growing frustration around its absence.

Despite improvements, Konami is under increasing pressure from long-time PES fans to reintroduce the heart of their offline legacy. Forums like Reddit, PES Universe, and Operation Sports are filled with requests, complaints, and speculation.

“They’ve abandoned what made PES special.”

– A comment echoed by many in the PES community.

Others argue that players need to accept the live-service direction as a global industry trend, not unique to Konami. EA’s rebrand to EA Sports FC and FIFA’s push for blockchain-based gaming reinforce the idea that traditional sports gaming is evolving fast.

What to Expect in eFootball 2026

• Seasonal Gameplay Enhancements: Expect more realistic player movements and speed dynamics, alongside refined defensive controls. Mobile users gain new set-piece controls and a kick-cancellation feature, improving responsiveness across platforms.
  
• Custom Stadium Tools: eFootball 2026 allows players to personalize their stadium with custom colors, fan choreography, and decorative objects, offering an immersive, stylistic edge.
  
• “Link‑Up Play” Manager Mechanic: A dynamic tactical feature where two players (Center Piece and Key Man) trigger special combination plays when positioned correctly. José Mourinho is featured as a manager whose “Diagonal Long Pass A” can activate unique Link‑Up moves.
  
• Starter Packs & Hero Editions: Several themed packs are available—for example, the Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal editions—which bundle Epic or Highlight players, stadium decor, exclusive kits, tokens, and more as part of special startup campaigns.
  
• Onboarding Reward: New players completing the tutorial receive a free “Show Time: Lionel Messi” card, providing an early engagement boost.

Community Reactions & Feedback

• Some players praise the improved gameplay: “Gameplay seems much improved, let’s see if it lasts.”
  
• Others express frustration over the continued lack of deeper features: “Even the ‘Link‑Up’ feature hasn’t been added yet? Or am I missing something?”
  
• Criticism persists over the emphasis on monetized cosmetic content versus substantial game modes: fans worry about the trade-off between superficial flair and meaningful gameplay depth.
  

Licensing & Content Additions (from Spanish Wikipedia)

• New League Added: K League 1 (South Korea) appears in the 2026 edition.
• Removed League: Liga MX (Mexico) is no longer licensed.
• Stadium Updates: Return of Signal Iduna Park (Borussia Dortmund). Several South American and fictional stadiums show changes in availability.

What eFootball Players Should Look For

1. Master League Finalization

Despite delays, community hope remains—the last direct mention pointed toward a spring release; whether that resurfaces in 2026 or beyond will be pivotal for legacy fans.

2. Offline Depth Enhancements

Even if Master League isn’t imminent, players want richer offline features—match simulations, edit modes, cross-generational team building, or even a simpler single-player campaign.

3. Gameplay Refinements

• Continued improvements in ball physics, player collision, AI reliability, and match realism—especially to reduce scripting and enhance competitive fairness.

4. Server and Match-Making Stability

Ongoing improvements in dedicated servers, latency reduction, and smoother PvP matchmaking remain thorns in the side of eFootball’s competitive integrity.

5. Balanced Monetization

Evolving Dream Team features with less intrusive microtransactions, more meaningful progression, and how offline content may integrate into monetization without alienating non-spenders.