If you’ve ever logged into eFootball after a long work week only to get matched against players with way higher team strength and better in-game tactics, you know how frustrating slow progression can feel. Many casual players assume you have to sink 20+ hours a week to move up ranks, but that’s far from the truth once you know what to prioritize. I’ve been playing eFootball consistently since its rebrand, and I’ve tested dozens of hacks to cut down grind time without spending extra on in-game currency. This guide breaks down exactly how to level up fast in eFootball, whether you’re just starting out or stuck in the Gold tier trying to reach Platinum.
Prioritize game modes that give double XP for limited windows
Konami regularly runs limited-time event modes with 2x or 3x XP boosts for both player and account level, but most players stick to standard Division matches even when these events are active. That’s a huge missed opportunity for fast progression. If you’re focused on how to level up fast in eFootball, skipping these limited events is one of the worst mistakes you can make. Always check the event tab first before starting any play session to see if there are active XP boosts you can take advantage of.
Even if you don’t love the event format – like 3v3 co-op or futsal matches – the XP boost is worth playing 3-4 matches a day while it’s active. I once leveled up 3 full account tiers in one weekend just by focusing on a 3x XP cup event, instead of grinding Division matches like I usually do. You also get bonus GP and player contracts from most events, so you’re progressing on multiple fronts at once instead of just earning XP.
Optimize your squad to level up fast in eFootball without extra grind
A lot of players load their squad with high-rated rare players but have 0 team playstyle proficiency, which makes them lose more matches than they win. More wins equal more XP per match, so fixing your squad synergy is one of the fastest ways to speed up progression without playing more matches. Team playstyle proficiency matters more than individual player ratings for consistent wins, even if your overall team strength is 10-15 points lower than a squad full of mismatched rare players.
If your manager uses Quick Counter, for example, make sure every player in your starting 11 has 80+ Quick Counter proficiency. You’ll win 30-40% more matches immediately, which adds up to way more XP over time. You should also train your players strategically instead of wasting training programs on players you don’t use regularly. Use your daily free training sessions on your highest-potential players first, so you don’t have to spend extra GP on training later. Focus on your 11 starting players first, then your 5 main subs, so you don’t spread resources thin.
Complete daily and weekly mission objectives first every week
Most players skip the small daily missions because they think the rewards are too small, but they add up to massive XP gains over a month. I set a 10-minute timer every time I log in to knock out as many daily missions as possible first, before I play any matches for fun. That way I’m not wasting time later trying to hit objectives I could have completed passively. These small XP rewards add up faster than you think, and they’re one of the most underrated tools for anyone looking for how to level up fast in eFootball.
Common easy missions that take 5 minutes or less to complete include:
- Play 2 matches with a friend in co-op mode (gives 500 account XP plus 10,000 GP)
- Score 3 goals with midfielders in any match type (gives 300 account XP plus a 1-star training program)
- Log in 3 days in a row (gives 700 account XP plus a free premium contract ticket)
- Win 1 Division match per day (gives 400 account XP plus extra division points)
Weekly missions give 10x more XP than daily missions, so make sure you finish them 2 days before the reset to avoid missing out. Most weekly missions align with active event modes too, so you can complete them at the same time you’re earning boosted XP from events, instead of doing separate work for each reward.
Avoid common mistakes that slow down your progression speed
A lot of players slow their own progression down without even realizing it, by making small mistakes that add up to hours of wasted time every week. First, don’t quit matches early. A lot of players quit as soon as they go down 2 goals in the first half, but you still get 60-70% of the XP for finishing the match, even if you lose. If you quit, you get 0 XP, and you also get a temporary cooldown from matchmaking that can last up to 15 minutes for repeated quits. That’s a huge waste of time you could be using to earn more XP.
Second, don’t spend all your GP on random player packs. It’s tempting to try to pull a rare Messi or Mbappe, but you’re better off saving GP for manager contracts and training programs that directly boost your squad strength and help you win more matches. Never spend real money on XP boosts unless you’re 100% sure you can use the full boost window without interruptions. I once bought a 24-hour XP boost and then had a family emergency come up, so I wasted 90% of it and didn’t get any extra progression out of the purchase. If you’re serious about figuring out how to level up fast in eFootball, cutting out these wasted actions will cut your grind time in half almost immediately.
At the end of the day, you don’t have to become a pro player or spend hundreds of dollars to move up ranks quickly. The biggest secret to fast progression is working smarter, not harder, and focusing on high-reward activities instead of grinding mindless matches for hours. Try testing one of these tips in your next play session first, before you try all of them at once, to see what works best for your play schedule and style. With a little bit of planning, you’ll be able to learn how to level up fast in eFootball and unlock all the rare players and rewards you’ve been wanting, without sacrificing all your free time to the game. I’ve used these exact tips to move from Bronze to Diamond in 3 weeks as a casual player who only plays 5-7 matches a day, so I know they work for people who don’t have hours to spare every day.