KONAMI bekräftar nedstängning av eFootball i Ryssland och Vitryssland

KONAMI has officially announced that eFootball services will be discontinued in Russia and Belarus starting June 15, 2026.

The notice appeared directly inside the game, informing players in both regions that support for the title will soon come to an end. While the company thanked local players for their support over the years, no detailed explanation behind the decision has been provided so far.

KONAMI also clarified that the shutdown affects only Russia and Belarus, with no changes planned for other regions.

Part of a Larger Trend Since 2022

Although the announcement has surprised parts of the community, it follows a broader pattern seen across the gaming industry over the past few years.

Since 2022, multiple major gaming companies have either limited or fully suspended operations in Russia and Belarus. Back in March 2022:

• Mojang removed Minecraft from local app stores
• Supercell pulled its games from the regions
• Rovio followed by removing its titles
• Pokémon GO also disappeared from regional storefronts

These moves came amid growing payment and platform restrictions affecting digital services in the region.

Payment and Platform Restrictions Continued Expanding

One of the major complications for gaming companies emerged after Google suspended Google Play billing services in Russia during 2022.

The restrictions prevented:

• In-app purchases
• Subscriptions
• Digital transactions through Google Play

As a result, operating live-service games in the region became increasingly difficult for many publishers.

At the same time, local regulations surrounding gaming and online platforms have also tightened significantly in recent years.

In 2024, Russia blocked access to Discord, while Roblox later faced restrictions tied to government concerns over content policies. Belarus also introduced stricter rules related to online gaming and gambling advertisements earlier this year.

Uncertainty Remains for Existing Players

For current eFootball players in Russia and Belarus, the shutdown leaves less than a month before services officially end.

So far, KONAMI has not announced:

• Account migration options
• Compensation plans
• Alternative regional access solutions

More details may still arrive closer to the shutdown date, but at the moment, the company has only confirmed the service termination itself.

Another Major Exit From the Region

The decision marks another significant withdrawal by a global gaming publisher from Russia and Belarus, continuing the long-term shift that has been reshaping the gaming landscape in both regions since 2022.

With live-service games relying heavily on digital payments, online infrastructure, and regional platform support, maintaining operations has become increasingly challenging for international publishers operating there.