In a country where mobile gaming reigns supreme and football enthusiasm is on the rise, Indian gamers are now poised to compete on the global stage in eFootball at the FIFAe World Cup. This follows a recent partnership between FIFA and Konami, which has officially included Konami’s football simulation game, eFootball, as one of the titles featured in the FIFAe World Cup alongside Rocket League and Football Manager.
In its inaugural year, India is one of 18 countries officially invited to participate in eFootball at the global tournament, joining esteemed football nations like Argentina, Brazil, England, France, Spain, and Portugal. The top-performing athletes from each country will compete in the finals later this year across both mobile and console platforms. According to the India Games Market Report 2023 by Niko Partners, India is a predominantly mobile-first market, with an impressive 96.8% of gamers using smartphones or tablets. The total number of gamers across all platforms is projected to reach 641.2 million by 2027.
As a leader in the mobile gaming revolution, India’s vast base of mobile gamers now has the opportunity to turn their passion into international success, especially with eFootball being available for free download. The free-to-play model lowers the barriers for participation, allowing talented mobile gamers from all backgrounds to train and compete in high-level play.
Commenting on this pivotal moment for India’s esports industry, Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and Managing Director of NODWIN Gaming, remarked, “The collaboration between FIFA and Konami to integrate eFootball into the FIFAe World Cup is a landmark moment for Indian esports. Our inclusion in this global event is a matter of immense national pride. The accessibility of a free-to-play game like eFootball fosters wider participation, and with FIFA driving the esports ecosystem, we are witnessing a seamless fusion of sports and esports—creating new opportunities for Indian gamers to excel on the world stage.”
eFootball will also feature in the upcoming WAVES Esports Championship 2025 (WESC), organized by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. India has consistently showcased its talent in eFootball at the Global Esports Games.
Animesh Agarwal, known as 8Bit Thug and Co-Founder of S8UL and 8Bit Creatives, shared his thoughts: “The recognition of India as a participant in a global esports tournament like the FIFAe World Cup is monumental for the Indian esports landscape. This collaboration between KONAMI and FIFA opens valuable avenues for both mobile and console gamers in our country. With eFootball included in tournaments like WAVES 2025, supported by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, there is tremendous potential to create further opportunities for aspiring Indian esports athletes.” Earlier this year, Konami announced that eFootball has surpassed 700 million total downloads worldwide.While India has yet to compete in the FIFA World Cup, the qualifiers for eFootball are already underway, giving the nation’s skilled esports athletes a chance to represent their country on the international stage at the FIFAe World Cup. For more updates and insights on esports events, stay tuned to Bet eSports Blog.
