Konami has launched a global eFootball campaign tied to International Cup 2026, giving players a chance to log in and claim special versions of Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal. The event is live now on Xbox, PlayStation, PC and mobile, and it runs through July 23.
The draw is simple: sign in during the campaign period and the game can hand over Messi, Yamal, eFootball Coins and Selection Contracts, with more rewards layered in for players who keep showing up. For a free-to-play football game built around short bursts of attention, that kind of timed giveaway is the point.
Konami is also adding a new International Cup 2026 mode that lets players pick a national side and push it through group-stage fixtures and knockout football. The mode arrives as football is already crowding the calendar around the World Cup, and the company frames the celebration around that bigger tournament season even as the in-game event carries a slightly different name.
That naming gap is part of the story. The campaign leans on the pull of the World Cup, but the playable event inside eFootball is called International Cup 2026, a label that keeps the game close to the global tournament without using the real-world name outright. For players, the practical effect matters more than the branding: there is a limited window to chase rewards, and the window is open now.
The schedule becomes more specific on June 13, when Konami begins a Player of the Day programme built around footballers who produced memorable moments during the tournament. Those players will turn up as special featured cards inside eFootball, while inviting friends into the game can unlock extra rewards and more eFootball Coins for players who complete certain objectives. Friend Matches can also pay out an Epic version of former England captain Steven Gerrard.
What makes the campaign worth watching is how tightly it is built around the calendar. The Messi and Yamal rewards are available only for players who log in during the event window, the Player of the Day programme starts on June 13, and the full celebration disappears after July 23. In a game that trades on momentum, Konami has given players a short, clear chase and a few marquee names to chase it with.
