- 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.
Have the makers listened to us finally? Is this what happiness looks like? These were my thoughts when I read the latest announcement. Yes, KONAMI has officially confirmed that eFootball 2026 will soon introduce a matchmaking filter for Smart Assist users in eFootball League Division 1 to 3.
The feature is planned to arrive in an update scheduled between late May and early June 2026, and honestly, this is something competitive players have been asking for ever since Smart Assist started becoming a discussion point in ranked gameplay.
Filtered matchmaking could increase queue times and unstable connections
According to the announcement, we will get two matchmaking options. The first is “Same setting as mine,” which matches you only against opponents using the same Smart Assist setting. The second is “Matchmake freely,” where matchmaking works normally without considering Smart Assist preferences.
At first glance, this sounds like a good move. A lot of players have been frustrated facing opponents using Smart Assist in higher divisions, especially because ranked matches are supposed to reward your skills and not AI assistance.
So, giving us players a choice at least feels like KONAMI finally acknowledging the complaints and is a big welcome change. But the catch is, this is still only a test implementation. I will tell you why.
KONAMI itself already warned that using the same setting option could create major matchmaking issues. Longer queue times are expected, and in some cases, we may even get matched with opponents who have unstable connections simply because the matchmaking pool becomes smaller.
Division 1 to 3 already struggle with matchmaking quality depending on region and timing. Then we might have to revert to “Matchmake freely” just to get games faster.
Also, another point to remember is that one can start matchmaking with Smart Assist turned off and then enable it once the match begins. KONAMI’s announcement does not mention whether this loophole will be addressed with the new filter system.
For now, though, eFootball players are finally getting a Smart Assist filter, but it already feels like the debate around the feature itself is far from over.
Read other eFootball articles:
- eFootball 2026 Show Time Worldwide Selection Contract: Who should be your 9th Anniversary Campaign player pick
- The FIFA World Cup 26 license dilemma: Why no major football game has secured it yet
- eFootball 2026: Epic, Big Time, and Show Time Player Tier List
- eFootball 2026 Big Time and Epic National All Stars pack review
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