eFootball 2026 is finally getting a Smart Assist filter but it isn’t what is looks like

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Story Highlights

  • eFootball 2026 will add a Smart Assist matchmaking filter in Division 1 to 3.
  • You can choose between “Same setting as mine” and “Matchmake freely”.
  • Smart Assist could be enabled after matchmaking begins, so no confirmation on the same.

Did Konami finally hear what players wanted? That’s what I thought when I saw their latest news! Konami has officially announced that eFootball 2026 will soon let players filter matchmaking, so Smart Assist users in eFootball League Divisions 1 through 3 can play against others using the same feature.

We’re planning to release this feature in an update expected between late May and early June 2026. Competitive players have been requesting it since Smart Assist became a topic of conversation in ranked matches.

Filtered matchmaking could increase queue times and unstable connections

The update introduces two matchmaking choices. The first, called “Same setting as mine,” will only pair you with players who have selected the same Smart Assist option. The second, “Matchmake freely,” uses the standard matchmaking system and doesn’t take Smart Assist preferences into account.

Initially, this seems like a positive change. Many players have been annoyed by opponents using Smart Assist in competitive play, particularly since ranked matches should prioritize player skill over help from the game’s AI.

We’re planning to test a new matchmaking feature in eFootball™ League in late May. This test will focus on matching players in Divisions 1-3 based on whether they have Smart Assist turned on or off, aiming to create fairer matches.

— eFootball (@play_eFootball) May 19, 2026

Offering players a choice is a great first step, and it feels like KONAMI is finally listening to our feedback. However, it’s important to remember this is just a trial run, and I’ll explain why shortly.

KONAMI previously cautioned that a specific settings choice could cause problems finding matches. Players might experience longer wait times, and could even be paired with opponents who have poor connections, all because the number of available players is reduced.

Players in the lower divisions (1 through 3) are already having trouble finding good matches, especially depending on their location and when they play. We might end up having to prioritize quick matches over quality to ensure everyone can find a game.

Players can also begin a match with Smart Assist disabled and turn it on during gameplay. It’s currently unclear if KONAMI plans to fix this behavior with the upcoming filter system.

eFootball players are now able to use a new Smart Assist feature, but discussions about whether it’s a good addition to the game are likely to continue.

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2026-05-20 14:41