eFootball Dream Team’s aggressive monetization is no news to anyone, with in-game purchases being the only way to get guaranteed access to the mode’s true meta picks, capable of performing head and shoulders above the rest.
But that does not mean F2P players can’t have fun and even excel, despite all odds. If you are like me and want to challenge the upper divisions without the need to constantly open your wallet, here’s the ultimate F2P eFootball 2026 guide.
Table of contents
The Best Ways To Get Free Players In eFootball 2026
Although you can purchase standard versions of many currently active players with GP, F2P players can also get access to a pretty substantial amount of Epic, Showtime, and Featured Players by expending Nominating Contracts, Chance Deals, and Selection Contracts, as well as by claiming them as seasonal and Daily Game Lap rewards.
A great example of that can be seen on the current Carnival/Ramadan/Lunar New Year campaign, which allows you to claim one event-exclusive Selection Contract after playing 45 matches. The Contract can then be used to claim either a Showtime 98-OVR Blitz Curler Neymar, or new variants for Lee Kang-In or Semih Kiliçsoy.
If you are up to the task, getting into the top 100,000 players in Divisions also allows you to claim an exclusive Showtime player at the end of the mode’s current phase. Keep in mind that the Chance Deal is a reward exclusive to PVP, with PVE players being able to get up to 100x Booster Tokens at max.
How To Farm Nominating Contracts And Chance Deals
You can get good amounts of Chance Deals and Nominating Contracts in eFootball as Daily Game Lap, Mission, and Vs AI Tour Event rewards. As you can see below, many of the latter also reward you with eFootball Points, used to redeem exclusive players at the Shop.
How to Farm And Get The Most Out Of Your Coins
The game’s paid/premier currency, F2P players can get eFootball coins by taking part in PvP Tour Events, with each usually rewarding you with 50 at max. It is also possible to get the currency through login events and eventual Campaigns. After getting your coins, we recommend saving them until a true unmissable Epic or Big Time player banner debuts. Remember, the unfortunate reality of Dream Team lies in how you can only guarantee a player by pulling hundreds of times on its banner.
Using your coins on Store Packs can also allow you to get both a few great subs and a meta manager for a symbolic fee. I don’t recommend investing in them, though, unless you spot an unmissable deal worth putting hundreds of coins on the line for.
The Best Formations In eFootball 2026
Looking at the top of the Divisions leaderboard, the 4-2-1-3 and 4-2-2-2 formations seem to reign supreme. In most cases, they feature a deep backline, followed by one DMF and one defensive-posted CMF. Another thing both formations have in common is the presence of two CFs, capable of quickly performing one-twos and responding to through balls with precise runs.
Regarding playstyles, Quick Counter and Long Ball Counter are widely considered the best, with the former being hand-made for high-press. The latter is then way more defensively solid via its deep line and allows 4-2-1-3 users to easily connect one-touch passes between their MFs, AMF, and the front players to set up runs or create space. If using 4-2-2-2, use quick CFs capable of blitzing past the defenders, as well as MFs and CBs capable of excelling with long passes to set up your offense with it. Here are the best standard managers for each style, as well as their prices:
| Manager | Specialties | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Thomas Gurpegui | 81 Quick Counter / 79 Possession Game | 140,000 GP |
| Cristo Valbuena | 85 Long Ball Counter | 330,000 GP |
| Giovam Ripa | 80 Long Ball Counter / 80 Out Wide | 110,000 GP |
How To Deal With FOMO In eFootball 2026
Given eFootball’s model and the slow rate at which you can build currency when out of events, FOMO is by far the biggest challenge for both F2P players and low spenders. To deal with it, take advantage of the game’s standard market to form teams with your favorites and make completing events feel less like a chore. Switching builds can also add another layer to it and make even club legends feel like new additions.
When dealing with PVP, focus on getting the most out of your team and don’t compare yourself to the opposition. Believe me, if your fundamentals are solid and your tactics on point, even an under-3100 squad will be more than enough to deal with Division 4 or above meta non-smart assist teams.
Now that you know how to deal with the usual F2P woes during your eFootball journey, don’t forget to also check out all you need to know about the title’s upcoming Nintendo Switch 2-exclusive spin-off, Kick-Off!. If you are like me and cannot wait for the return of the franchise’s soul, however, make sure to also take a look at what Konami cannot afford to get wrong once Master League arrives later this year.
