If you’re a long-time Pro Evolution Soccer fan, the first thing you probably look for in every new release is Master League. The iconic career mode lets you build a club from scratch, sign underrated players, tweak tactics to fit your playstyle, and climb from lower divisions to global glory, and it’s been a staple of the franchise for decades. That’s why so many players ask does eFootball 23 have Master League, especially after the rocky launch of the rebranded eFootball franchise a couple years prior that left many core features on the cutting room floor. I’ve spent dozens of hours playing eFootball 23 across PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC, testing every mode to see what’s worth your time, and I’m breaking down exactly what you can expect from the game’s single-player offerings in this guide.
Does eFootball 23 Have Master League?
First, the straight answer that most of you are here for: no, the base launch version of eFootball 23 did not include a full Master League mode at release. Konami had initially promised that Master League would arrive as part of post-launch downloadable content for eFootball 22, but those plans were pushed back repeatedly as the studio worked to fix core gameplay bugs and performance issues across all platforms. When eFootball 23 launched as a mostly incremental update to the 2022 version, Master League was still not part of the core package, and Konami eventually confirmed that the mode would not arrive for eFootball 23 at all, instead shifting development focus to future eFootball releases. If you bought eFootball 23 specifically to play Master League, you won’t find the traditional version you know and love anywhere in the game menus.
There are a few fan-made mods for PC that attempt to replicate the Master League experience, but these are not officially supported, and many come with performance issues or glitches that can ruin your playthrough. I tested one of the more popular mods last year, and while it had the basic structure of Master League, it lacked the licensing, progression loops, and AI polish that made the original mode so addictive. If you’re playing on console, there’s no way to access any version of Master League for eFootball 23 at all, even with paid DLC.
What Single-Player Modes Are Available in eFootball 23?
Just because Master League is missing doesn’t mean eFootball 23 has no single-player content to enjoy. I’ve played through most of these modes multiple times, and while none are a perfect replacement for Master League, some offer a surprising amount of depth for players who prefer to play offline or against AI opponents. First, there’s Match Mode, which lets you pick any licensed club or national team and play single friendly matches against the AI at whatever difficulty level you choose. It’s simple, but it’s a great way to practice new tactics or mess around with teams you don’t usually use.
Then there’s the Dream Team mode, which is eFootball’s answer to FIFA’s Ultimate Team, but you can play most of its content entirely offline if you don’t want to compete against other players. You build a custom squad from scratch, earn in-game currency to sign new players, level up your squad’s stats, and compete in AI-powered tournaments to earn rare rewards. If you’re looking for a long-term progression loop, this is the closest you’ll get to a career-style experience in eFootball 23.
The other smaller single-player modes you can access include:
- Training drills to sharpen your passing, shooting, and defending skills for higher difficulty levels, with specific challenges for both new and experienced players
- Tournament Mode where you can replicate real-world competitions like the Champions League or World Cup with custom team lists and rule sets
- Local co-op matches that let you play with friends on the same console against AI opponents, perfect for casual game nights
None of these modes have the same narrative or long-term progression as Master League, but they’re still plenty of fun if you go into them with an open mind. I’ve spent over 40 hours in Dream Team mode playing exclusively against AI, and I’ve barely scratched the surface of all the squad builds and challenges you can try.
Should You Wait for Master League or Try eFootball 23’s Alternatives?
This is the question I get most often from old PES fans who are on the fence about picking up eFootball 23. The answer really depends on what you care about most in a soccer game. If the only mode you ever play is Master League, and you have no interest in online play or other single-player modes, then eFootball 23 probably isn’t worth your time right now. Konami has not released any Master League content for eFootball 23, and there are no plans to add it retroactively, so you won’t be able to play the mode even if you buy all available DLC for the game.
But if you’re open to trying new modes, or you primarily play soccer games online against other players, eFootball 23 has a lot to offer. The gameplay itself is much more polished than the 2022 launch version, with better player movement, more realistic ball physics, and improved AI decision making that makes matches feel far more authentic than earlier eFootball releases. I’ve found that Dream Team’s offline progression loop is surprisingly addictive once you stop comparing it to Master League. You don’t have to spend any real money to build a competitive squad, either, as you can earn all the in-game currency you need just by playing through AI tournaments and daily challenges.
If you’re really craving a traditional Master League experience, you can always go back to PES 2021, which has the full Master League mode and a huge library of fan-made patches to update rosters and licensing for modern teams. It’s still one of the best PES releases ever made, and it holds up really well even today.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of eFootball 23 Without Master League
If you already own eFootball 23 and are disappointed by the lack of Master League, there are a few small tweaks you can make to your playthrough to get a similar career-style experience without the official mode. First, set your own custom career rules for Dream Team mode. For example, you can decide to only sign players from a specific country, or only use players under the age of 23 to build a youth academy squad, just like you would in Master League. It adds an extra layer of challenge and roleplay that makes the mode feel far more personal.
Second, crank up the difficulty level to Professional or Legend if you’re used to playing Master League on higher settings. The AI in eFootball 23 is surprisingly tough on higher difficulties, and you’ll have to adjust your tactics constantly to win matches, just like you would in a traditional career mode. You can even create custom season schedules for your Dream Team, pitting yourself against tougher opponents as your squad gets stronger to replicate the experience of moving up through different divisions.
Finally, consider trying out the online casual modes if you’re feeling bored of playing against AI. The ranked matches are well-balanced, and you’ll face players of similar skill levels almost every time, which makes for far more unpredictable and exciting matches than you’ll get against the AI after a few dozen hours of play. You can also join custom online tournaments with friends to add an extra layer of competition to your playthroughs.
At the end of the day, the question does eFootball 23 have Master League has a clear, simple answer, but that doesn’t mean the game has no value for long-time PES fans. While the lack of the iconic career mode is a big letdown for many players, the improved gameplay and solid alternative single-player modes make eFootball 23 a perfectly solid soccer game if you’re open to trying something new. If you can’t live without Master League, you’re better off sticking to older PES releases or waiting for future eFootball versions that promise to include the mode. But if you’re just looking for a fun, polished soccer game to play casually in your free time, eFootball 23 has more than enough content to keep you occupied for dozens of hours. If you do decide to give eFootball 23 a try, don’t sleep on the custom tournament mode – it’s one of the most underrated features in the game, and you can use it to build your own custom career experience completely for free.