In eFootball 2026, one of the hottest debates in the community revolves around Smart Assist — a control mechanic introduced to make the game easier for beginners. On the surface, Smart Assist sounds helpful: it corrects your passes, helps align shots, and even provides defensive tracking.
But beneath the surface, it sparked one of the biggest controversies in eFootball history. Casual players argue it makes the game more fun, while competitive players and pros see it as an unfair mechanic that ruins skill expression. The result? Smart Assist has been completely banned from competitive tournaments.
This deep-dive guide explains what Smart Assist is, why it divides the community, why it’s banned in esports, and how players can adapt without it.
🎯 What is Smart Assist?
Smart Assist is a gameplay feature designed to help beginners control their players more effectively. In practice, it:
- Auto-corrects passing angles → Prevents misplaced passes.
- Boosts shooting accuracy → Aligns shots toward goal.
- Assists defensive tracking → Helps defenders stay with opponents.
Originally introduced as a quality-of-life feature, it became controversial because it interferes with core manual gameplay mechanics.
🕰️ The History of Smart Assist in PES & eFootball
Smart Assist (or similar mechanics) has roots going back to PES (Pro Evolution Soccer), where Konami experimented with “pass assist levels” and automated inputs. Over time, these features grew in strength:
- PES 2018–2020 → Simple pass assists existed but were optional and weaker.
- eFootball 2022 → Smart Assist introduced as a stronger helping hand.
- eFootball 2024–2026 → Smart Assist expanded, helping not just passing but also shooting and defending.
What was once a training tool slowly became a crutch — leading to conflict between players.
⚡ How Smart Assist Affects Gameplay
Let’s break down where Smart Assist impacts the game most:
1. Passing
- With Smart Assist: The game auto-adjusts your passing direction.
- Without Smart Assist: You must aim manually — mistakes punishable.
2. Shooting
- With Smart Assist: Increased chance of hitting the target, especially inside the box.
- Without: Requires timing, aim, and composure.
3. Defending
- With Smart Assist: Tracks attackers more smoothly, making tackling easier.
- Without: You rely entirely on positioning and manual inputs.
👉 In short, Smart Assist makes the game more forgiving, but also less skillful.
⚔️ The Case FOR Smart Assist
Not everyone hates it. Some players argue:
- Accessibility → It helps new players who find manual controls overwhelming.
- Leveling the Playing Field → Prevents experienced players from steamrolling beginners.
- Casual Fun → Great for offline matches or relaxed online play.
- Faster Onboarding → Helps players learn basic mechanics before switching to manual.
Many casual players claim that without Smart Assist, they’d struggle to enjoy the game.
🚫 The Case AGAINST Smart Assist
Pro and competitive players argue the opposite:
- Kills Skill Expression → Removes the need for manual precision.
- Artificial Advantage → Makes weaker players perform above their level.
- Unrealistic Football → Feels scripted, less authentic.
- Esports Integrity → Competitive matches must rely only on raw skill.
- Community Division → Creates two classes of players (manual vs assisted).
👉 This is why pro tournaments universally ban it.
🏆 Why Smart Assist is Banned in Competitive Matches
1. Unfair Advantage
Esports thrives on skill expression. Smart Assist shifts the balance unfairly, making results less about talent and more about settings.
2. Integrity of Esports
Tournaments like the eFootball Championship Open must guarantee fairness. Allowing Smart Assist would create inconsistent playing conditions.
3. Community Pressure
The competitive community demanded its removal, with pro players posting countless clips showing Smart Assist “playing the game” for users.
4. Konami’s Response
Konami officially confirmed Smart Assist is disabled in ranked matches and tournaments to preserve fairness.
📊 Smart Assist vs Manual Control
| Feature | Smart Assist Enabled | Manual Control |
|---|---|---|
| Passing | Auto-corrected | Fully manual |
| Shooting | Assisted accuracy | Player skill |
| Defending | Tracking support | Manual marking |
| Learning Curve | Easy | Steep but rewarding |
| Esports Legal? | ❌ Banned | ✅ Required |
👉 Manual is harder — but that’s the point of competition.
🧠 Pro Player Insights
Top esports players have shared strong opinions:
- Pro A: “Smart Assist kills creativity — the game does half the work for you.”
- Pro B: “In tournaments, every touch matters. Smart Assist removes that tension.”
- Pro C: “Good for beginners, but it has no place in Division 1.”
🔄 Training Without Smart Assist
If you’re aiming to compete, here’s how to transition:
- Start in Training Mode → Practice manual passing & shooting.
- Gradually Lower Assistance → Reduce pass support step by step.
- Play Friendlies Without Assist → Test in low-pressure environments.
- Study Pro Gameplay → Copy manual input styles from esports players.
- Focus on Positioning → Good positioning reduces reliance on auto-support.
🌍 Community Division
The debate split the eFootball community:
- Casual players support Smart Assist → “It helps me enjoy the game.”
- Competitive players reject it → “It ruins fair play.”
On forums and Reddit, heated debates show that Smart Assist may remain casual-only forever.
📉 Impact on the Meta
When Smart Assist was allowed in casual play:
- Passing felt easier → possession-based tactics grew.
- Shooting accuracy improved → fewer wasted chances.
- Defending became robotic → harder for skilled attackers to shine.
Once banned in ranked:
- Players had to adapt → more mistakes, but more realistic outcomes.
- Meta shifted back to rewarding manual skill & creativity.
🔮 Will Smart Assist Change in the Future?
Konami may refine it, but Smart Assist is unlikely to return to competitive play. Possible future changes:
- Weaker assist strength → Less intrusive.
- Beginner-only modes → Locked away from ranked.
- Optional Training Tool → For newcomers before Division play.
⚡ Real-World Esports Parallels
In other esports titles:
- FIFA/EA FC → Assisted controls banned in esports.
- CS:GO/Valorant → No aim-assist allowed.
- Rocket League → No car-handling assists.
👉 The principle is the same: esports = pure skill competition.
❓ FAQ – Smart Assist
Q: Can I use Smart Assist in online ranked play?
👉 No, it’s disabled.
Q: Why is it still in the game?
👉 To make eFootball beginner-friendly.
Q: Should I learn manual if I only play casually?
👉 If you want to improve long-term, yes.
Q: Will tournaments ever allow Smart Assist?
👉 Very unlikely.
✅ Final Thoughts
The Smart Assist controversy highlights the clash between accessibility and competitiveness. While it helps new players enjoy the game, it undermines the skill, balance, and fairness that define esports.
That’s why Smart Assist is banned in competitive matches. If you want to become a serious player, the only path forward is manual mastery.
👉 For casual fun, use Smart Assist. For esports and Division 1, it’s all about pure skill.
