If you’ve ever booted up eFootball 2022 only to get crushed 4-0 by a random opponent in your first online match, you’re not alone. The transition from the old PES franchise to the rebranded eFootball series left a lot of casual players confused by new mechanics, adjusted controls, and a completely revamped squad building system. Learning how to play eFootball 2022 the right way doesn’t require 10 hours of practice a week, though. I’ve been playing the series since its launch, and I’ve compiled all the most useful tips for new and intermediate players to start winning more matches without spending a dime on in-game purchases.
Master Default and Custom Controls for Consistent Play
When you first launch the game, it’s tempting to immediately jump into online matches to test your skills, but that’s the fastest way to get discouraged. Spend your first 2 to 3 hours in offline practice mode and friendly matches against the AI on easy difficulty to get used to the controls first. Stick to the default control scheme for your first 10 matches at minimum, even if you’re coming from another football game like FIFA. The default mapping is optimized for the game’s mechanics, and switching it up right away will lead to misclicks and missed opportunities.
Once you’re comfortable with the basics, you can adjust custom controls to fit your playstyle. For example, if you prefer to have the shoot button on a different trigger to avoid accidental shots when you’re trying to clear the ball, you can remap it easily in the settings. Pay special attention to the manual pass and assisted pass toggle too. New players should keep assisted pass turned on for their first few weeks of play, since it helps correct small misjudgments of player runs. You can switch to full manual once you can predict where your teammates will be 80% of the time, as it gives you far more control over pass speed and direction for tricky plays.
Core Rules and Mechanics You Need to Know to Play eFootball 2022
eFootball 2022 works very differently from older PES titles, so even if you played the franchise before, you’ll need to learn a few new key mechanics to succeed. The biggest change is the stamina system, which is far more punishing than in previous versions. Sprinting nonstop for 10 minutes of in-game time will drop a player’s pass accuracy and sprint speed by 35% or more, so you should only sprint when you have a clear path to goal, or when you’re chasing an opponent on a breakaway. For most of the match, walk or jog with the ball to conserve stamina for key plays.
You also need to pay attention to player form arrows before every match. A red up arrow means a player gets a 12% stat boost across all categories, while a blue down arrow means their stats drop by 10%. Even your highest rated striker isn’t worth starting if they have a down arrow, unless you have no other options in that position. A lot of players make the mistake of grinding matches back to back without breaks, which leads to silly, avoidable errors like missing open shots or misplacing easy passes. If you feel your focus dropping after 3 or 4 matches, step away for 5 to 10 minutes, stretch, or play a low-stakes casual game to reset. Lots of players I know play Rummy Grand during these short breaks, since it’s fast-paced but doesn’t require the same split-second reaction time as competitive football matches, so you can come back to your next game refreshed and focused.
Another key mechanic to learn is the foul system. The game is far stricter about sliding tackles than other football games, so spamming the tackle button will almost always lead to a yellow or red card, even if you think you got the ball first. Only use sliding tackles as a last resort, when you have no other way to stop an opponent’s attack.
Build a Balanced Squad That Fits Your Playstyle
One of the most common mistakes new players make is stacking their squad with only high-rated attackers, ignoring defense and midfield entirely. That might work against very low level AI, but it will get you crushed in online matches. Squad chemistry is far more important than individual player ratings in eFootball 2022. A full squad of 82-rated players with 100% chemistry will beat a squad of 88-rated players with 50% chemistry 9 times out of 10, because chemistry boosts all player stats by up to 20% when it’s maxed.
When building your squad, prioritize players that fit your preferred playstyle first, not just their overall rating. If you like to play fast counter-attack football, pick wingers and strikers with high acceleration and sprint speed, even if their overall rating is a little lower. If you prefer slow, controlled tiki-taka play, pick players with high pass accuracy, balance, and ball control. You should also make sure your squad covers all your bases, with no weak positions. The core priorities for any competitive squad are:
You don’t need to spend real money to get a good squad either. The game gives out free high-rated players every week through login rewards and event challenges, so you can build a top tier squad in a month or two of casual play without spending any cash.
Match Strategy Tips for Online and Offline Play
Once you have your controls down and a solid squad, you can start refining your match strategy to win more games. On offense, don’t force through balls every single play, that’s the easiest pattern for opponents to read and intercept. Mix up short passes, wide crosses, and occasional long balls to keep your opponent off balance. Only take shots from inside the penalty area or just outside if you have a clear line of sight to the goal. Shots from further out almost never go in unless you’re using a player with 90+ shooting power and accuracy, so you’re better off passing to a player in a better position most of the time.
On defense, the biggest rule is to never sprint with your center backs. Sprinting pulls them out of position very easily, leaving huge gaps for your opponent to play through balls into. Instead, use your midfielders to pressure the opposition ball carrier first, and only move your center backs to block passing lanes. Only tackle when the opponent takes a bad touch, or when they’re running directly at you and have no other passing options. If you keep your defensive shape tight, most opponents will get frustrated and make a mistake you can capitalize on.
Don’t ignore set pieces either, they’re one of the easiest ways to score against equally skilled opponents. Spend 10 minutes in practice mode learning the right power and angle for corners and free kicks. For corners, aim for the near post with around 70% power, and use a player with high crossing stats to take the kick. You’ll score from at least 1 out of 4 corners once you get the hang of it, which adds up to a lot of extra goals over time.
You don’t need to be a pro esports player to get good at how to play eFootball 2022. All you need is a little bit of consistent practice, a balanced squad that fits your playstyle, and a focus on mastering basic mechanics before you try flashy tricks like skill moves. Take breaks when you feel burnt out to keep your focus sharp, and don’t get discouraged by losses—every loss teaches you a small mistake you can fix for your next match. After a few weeks of casual play, you’ll be climbing the online ranks and beating players with far higher rated squads than yours.