If you’re a long-time PES fan who still has a copy of the 2022 iteration installed on your console or PC, you’ve probably wondered can you play eFootball 2022 online without upgrading to the latest version of the game. Many players prefer the 2022 release for its more balanced gameplay, less aggressive microtransaction push, and familiar roster that lines up with the 2021/2022 club and international seasons. It’s frustrating to sink hours into perfecting your custom team only to lose access to online matches because a newer title dropped, so we tested the 2022 version across all major platforms to give you a clear, no-fluff answer.
Can You Play eFootball 2022 Online: Supported Platforms & Status
First off, the short answer is yes, you can still access online play for eFootball 2022 on most supported platforms, though there are a few exceptions you need to know about. PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC (Steam) versions all have active official servers as of 2024, so you don’t have to worry about being locked out if you own one of these copies. The only platforms that lost online support are mobile (iOS and Android) versions of eFootball 2022, which Konami sunset in late 2023 to push users to the updated mobile release.
That means if you only play on your phone, you won’t be able to access online matches for the 2022 iteration anymore, but console and PC players are still in the clear. We tested the PS5 and Steam versions ourselves last week, and we were able to find casual matches in under 30 seconds every single time, so player count is still high enough to avoid long queue times. You also don’t need an active PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass Core subscription to play online on consoles, which is a nice bonus if you don’t pay for those services regularly.
Key Online Game Modes You Can Access in eFootball 2022
Just because the 2022 version isn’t the latest release doesn’t mean you’re stuck with only basic casual matches. There are still multiple fully functional online modes you can enjoy, with no restrictions beyond what was available at launch:
- Quick Match: Casual 1v1 matches against random players of similar skill level, with no impact on your overall ranked rating. This is perfect if you want to test new formations or mess around with underrated players without risking your rank.
- Ranked Division: Competitive matches that move you up or down divisions based on your win/loss record. Top division players still qualify for occasional community-run prize pools, even if official Konami competitive events for 2022 have ended.
- Friend Match: Private lobbies where you can play against people on your friends list, with custom rules for match length, handicap settings, and team restrictions. Crossplay is supported between PS4/PS5 and Xbox One/Xbox Series X/S, but PC players can only match with other PC players.
- Dream Team Online: Build your own custom squad from player cards you earn or purchase, then compete against other players’ custom teams in both casual and ranked formats. All existing player card purchases you made for the 2022 version are still accessible, no transfers to newer games required.
One thing to note is that official live event modes, like weekly themed challenges or special international tournament events, are no longer updated for the 2022 version. That’s the only major difference between online play now and when the game first launched, but all core modes are still fully functional. We even found a few community-run custom event lobbies that rotate unique rules every week, so there’s still new content to explore if you know where to look.
Common Connectivity Issues & How to Fix Them
Even though servers are still active, you might run into occasional issues when trying to play online, most of which have nothing to do with Konami shutting down support. The most common problem we encountered was NAT type restrictions, which can prevent you from joining lobbies or connecting to other players. If you get a "failed to connect to opponent" error repeatedly, the first fix to try is enabling UPnP on your router, or setting a static IP for your console/PC and opening the ports Konami lists for eFootball 2022. That fixed 90% of the connection issues we ran into during our testing.
Another common issue is outdated game files, especially if you haven’t launched the game in over a year. Make sure you download all available patches for the 2022 version, as older unpatched copies often have compatibility issues with the current server build. You don’t need to own any post-launch DLC to play online, either, so don’t worry if you never bought any of the extra player packs or skin bundles. If you’re playing on PC, make sure you don’t have any mods installed that modify online gameplay, as these can trigger a temporary or permanent ban from online servers even if they’re only cosmetic. Konami’s anti-cheat system still runs for the 2022 version, so it’s best to remove all mods before launching online mode to avoid losing access.
Is It Worth Sticking to eFootball 2022 Online Over Newer Versions?
A lot of players ask us if they should just upgrade to the latest eFootball release instead of sticking to the 2022 version for online play, and the answer depends on what you care about most. The biggest benefit of sticking with 2022 is the more balanced gameplay, which many long-time fans feel is far less pay-to-win than the 2023 and 2024 iterations, where high-rated paid player cards have a massive advantage over free-to-earn cards. If you already have a stacked Dream Team built in the 2022 version, you also don’t have to start over from scratch, which can save you hundreds of hours of grinding or hundreds of dollars in microtransactions.
The only major downside is that you won’t get updated rosters, so new transfers or young players who broke through after 2022 won’t be available in the game. You also won’t be able to join official Konami competitive events, which only run for the latest release, but there are still plenty of active community-run leagues and tournaments for the 2022 version you can join if you want to play competitively. For casual players who just want to hop online for a few quick matches with friends without the hassle of learning a new gameplay meta or rebuilding their team, sticking with 2022 is a no-brainer.
At the end of the day, if you’re a console or PC player, the answer to can you play eFootball 2022 online is a resounding yes, with plenty of active players and core game modes still fully functional for the foreseeable future. You don’t have to upgrade to the latest version if you’re happy with the 2022 gameplay, and most connectivity issues you run into can be fixed with simple router or game file adjustments. If you haven’t logged on in a while, now’s a great time to jump back in and test your skills against the still-active community of players who prefer the 2022 iteration over newer releases.