Konami pens CAF to licensing agreement to bring AFCON to eFootball

Konami has signed a new licensing agreement with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), strengthening its foothold in one of football’s fastest-growing markets and bringing the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) officially into its eFootball game series.

It marks a rare victory over EA Sports for Konami’s football gaming model, having secured Africa’s top competition on the digital stage along its rights for FIFA competitions, which EA’s strained relationship with FIFA makes it unlikely to replicate.

The FC26 producers, meanwhile, have authentic Champions League and Euro simulations thanks to their close partnership with UEFA.

Konami has said that enthusiasm for eFootball in Africa has ‘risen sharply’, creating what it views as a natural moment to formalise its relationship with CAF. While the publisher has spent the past decade rebuilding and repositioning its football franchise in an effort to keep pace with EA’s FC juggernaut (formerly the FIFA franchise) – securing an exclusive continental partnership gives Konami a valuable point of difference as rivals continue to dominate major European licences.

The agreement will see AFCON and selected African stars appear in special in-game campaigns, beginning with an Africa Cup of Nations 25 event designed to mirror the atmosphere of the real tournament. Konami says players can expect themed competitions, promotions and the inclusion of high-profile African internationals to mark the launch.

The deal offers global digital exposure at a time when African football is pushing hard to expand its commercial base. These types of partnerships have become an increasingly important avenue for confederations looking to reach younger audiences and diversify revenues, and Konami’s worldwide platform provides immediate scale on a worldwide basis.

Whether the partnership will translate into sustained engagement within eFootball is a different question, but both sides appear confident that formalising the relationship will help capture a growing audience and remain mutually beneficial.

Konami says further details on in-game activations will be released in the coming months.

Koji Kobayashi, Senior Executive Officer, Konami Digital Entertainment commented: “This partnership brings new possibilities to the gaming experience, and we are truly excited to deliver the passion of the African region-home to some of the world’s most powerful footballing nations – to fans around the globe through eFootball, and this partnership opens up exciting new possibilities for the gaming experience.

“Through this initiative, we look forward to adding new African star players and tournament licenses such as TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, further enhancing the realism and excitement of eFootball.”

Véron Mosengo-Omba, General Secretary of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) adds: “The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 will be one of the most exciting and widely followed editions of our flagship competition. Our partnership with KONAMI reflects CAF’s commitment to innovation, global fan engagement, and creating new opportunities for African youth in both football and digital spaces.”