If you’ve ever scrolled through clips of insane eFootball goals online, or had friends beg you to join their co-op matches, you’ve probably wondered how to get in on the fun without feeling completely out of your depth. Learning how to start eFootball doesn’t have to be overwhelming, even if you’ve never played a football simulation game before. The game is designed to be accessible for new players, but there are a few key steps you can take to skip the most frustrating early growing pains and start having fun faster. This guide walks you through every step from initial download to your first online win, no prior experience required.
How to Start eFootball: First Steps for Initial Game Setup
The first thing to know is that eFootball is free to download across almost every major platform, including PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and mobile devices. You don’t need to pay for a base game to access all core online and offline modes, which is a huge perk for people who want to test it out before spending any money. Once you download the game, you’ll be prompted to create a Konami ID if you want cross-save functionality, meaning you can pick up your progress on mobile right where you left off on your console if you want. You can skip this step if you only plan to play on one device, but it’s worth setting up for long-term convenience.
Next, you’ll want to adjust your controls and camera settings before playing your first match. Don't stick to the default control scheme if it feels clunky. You have two main options: classic controls, which are very similar to older PES or FIFA titles, and advanced controls, which give you more precision over pass weight, shot direction, and dribble moves. If you’re completely new to football games, start with classic controls until you get the hang of basic movements, then switch to advanced later if you want more control. The default wide camera might make it hard to track runs, so switch to broadcast or dynamic camera for better visibility of the entire pitch. I made the mistake of playing on the default camera for my first 20 matches, and I couldn’t figure out why I kept missing open teammates on the other side of the field until I switched.
Master Core Basic Mechanics Before Jumping Into Online Matches
It’s tempting to skip the training mode and jump straight into online matches, but that’s the fastest way to get discouraged when you lose 8-0 three times in a row. The game’s built-in training mode only takes 30 minutes to complete the basic modules, and it will teach you all the fundamentals you need to hold your own in a real match. You don't need to master every trick move first, focus on consistent short passes and well-timed shots to start. Most new players waste hours practicing fancy rainbow flicks and roulettes, but 90% of goals at the beginner level come from simple, well-executed passing sequences.
Defending is the most overlooked skill for new players, and it’s the easiest to learn with a little practice. Stop holding the sprint and tackle button every time an opponent has the ball, because you’ll just pull your defenders out of position and leave huge gaps for them to attack. Instead, hold the jockey button (L2 on PlayStation, LT on Xbox) to stay side-by-side with the attacker, and only press the tackle button when they’re about to make a mistake or you’re directly in front of the ball. If you're still figuring out how to start eFootball, these are the three non-negotiable mechanics to practice first:
- Controlled first touch: Use R2/RT when receiving a pass to slow down and keep the ball close, instead of letting it bounce away from you into the path of a defender
- Weighted through passes: Hold L1/LB + pass button to send a through ball that lands right in the path of a running teammate, not too far or too short for them to reach
- Manual player switching: Use the right stick to select the exact defender you want, instead of relying on auto-switch which often picks the wrong player during fast counterattacks
Play 2-3 matches against the AI on beginner or amateur difficulty first to test out these mechanics without the pressure of a real online opponent. You’ll get a feel for how fast the game moves, how hard you need to press the shoot button to score from different distances, and how to adjust your defense to different attacking styles.
Build Your First Competitive Squad Without Spending Real Money
Most new players jump straight into Dream Team mode, which is eFootball’s flagship squad building mode, and immediately waste all their free coins on random player packs. Don’t do that. If you're new and figuring out how to start eFootball Dream Team mode, you don’t have to spend a cent to build a squad that can beat most casual players. You get dozens of free high-rated players from login rewards, event challenges, and first win bonuses in your first week of playing, so save your coins for guaranteed player packs or special event cards instead of random draws. Focus on building a squad with high team chemistry first, not just high-rated individual players.
Team chemistry is a hidden stat that boosts every player’s speed, passing, and shooting when they play alongside teammates from the same league, same nationality, or same club. A full squad of 78-rated players with 100% chemistry will play far better than a squad of 88-rated players with 30% chemistry, so don’t get caught up in chasing big name players that don’t fit your existing team. Pick a formation you like first, then build your squad around that formation instead of forcing players into positions they don’t play in real life.
Your manager choice matters just as much as your player selection. Each manager has a preferred formation and play style, and your squad chemistry will get a huge boost if your players fit that play style. If you like to play fast counterattacking football, pick a manager with a counterattack play style, and if you prefer to hold possession and pass around the back, pick a possession-based manager. You get free manager cards from event challenges all the time, so you don’t have to spend coins to get a good one early on.
Strategies to Win Your First Online Matches Without Frustration
When you finally jump into your first online match, don’t put pressure on yourself to win every game. Even top pro players lose around 30% of their matches, so losing your first few is completely normal. The biggest mistake new players make is trying to attack every single time they get the ball, which leaves their defense wide open for easy counterattacks. Slow down, hold possession for a few passes to draw defenders out of position, then look for an opening to attack. Don't spam skill moves every time you have the ball; most goals come from simple, quick passing sequences, not fancy tricks.
Game management is a huge part of winning matches at every level. If you’re up 1-0 in the 70th minute, don’t push all your players forward to score another goal. Switch to a defensive mentality, keep more players back, and hold possession to waste time instead of risking giving away an easy equalizer. If you’re down a goal with 10 minutes left, don’t rush every attack and send all your defenders forward, because you’ll just end up conceding another goal on a counter. Wait for a good opening, and focus on creating one high-quality chance instead of 10 low-quality rushed shots.
After every match, spend 2 minutes watching the replay of the goals you conceded. It’s the fastest way to spot mistakes you didn’t notice during the match, like leaving a defender out of position or missing a simple pass that led to a counterattack. I used to hate watching replays of my losses, but it cut my loss rate in half in just two weeks because I stopped making the same stupid mistakes over and over again.
At the end of the day, learning how to start eFootball is all about taking small steps and having fun, not trying to become a pro in one weekend. You don’t need to spend money on fancy player packs or spend 10 hours a day practicing to have a good time with friends or win casual online matches. Stick to the basics first, focus on improving one small skill every time you play, and don’t get discouraged by early losses. Before you know it, you’ll be the one scoring insane goals and sending clips to your friends to brag about.