eFootball 2026 October Update: Link-Up Playstyle & Cards

Konami rolled out the October 2025 update for eFootball 2026, bringing one of the biggest gameplay shifts the title has seen so far. Patch introduces brand-new Link-Up playstyle – Over-the-Top Pass B, a debut Manager (Frank Rijkaard), and fresh batch of Epic and Show Time cards. The update aims to deepen tactical complexity and reshape how players build squads.

New Link-Up Playstyle: Over-the-Top Pass B

At the center of this update is a Link-Up system, in a chemistry-like way, that links together Managers, player roles and playstyle bonuses. The first variant that will be introduced into the game is Over-the-Top Pass B, used in a faster, long-ball style of football.

So how does this work:

New Link-Up Playstyle: Over-the-Top Pass B

Image via Konami

The system links two defined roles together: Centrepiece (often in the CMF Orchestrator role in PES) and Key-Man (also a winger role at LWF/RWF).
When the Centrepiece is holding the ball in a defensive half, the Key-Man pushes forward aggressively, and can provide even more dynamic attacking movement.
All of a player’s passing, chipped-ball, and trapping/first-touch traits are displayed more pronounced in this action when the Link-Up option is being acted on.
This system rewarded the synergy between certain players, and pushed squads to build for quick transitions and long-ball strategies, and not just stacking models with high-rated cards.

New Manager: Frank Rijkaard, New Epic and Show Time Cards

In order to align with the new system, Konami presented Frank Rijkaard as the Manager designed for the Over-the-Top Pass B playstyle. He is available for 750 coins, just like Fabio Capello when he was initially released in the previous cycle. Rijkaard has a strong tactical pedigree, with an 89 rating for Quick Counter and Out Wide playstyles, and he also provides a +1 rating boost to the Tight Possession and Balance attributes. As the “link glue” in the new system, he activates and strengthens Link-Up playstyle, leading players to consider whether a Managers’ play style matches the squad selection for optimal performance.

October 2025 update also bring lineup of Epic and Show Time cards designed to work inside Link-Up system:

Epic Highlights:

Ronaldinho Gaúcho – Momentum Dribbling + Acceleration Burst
Mark van Bommel – Phenomenal Pass skill

Show Time Highlights:

Rodri – Phenomenal Pass + Long Range Tackle
Jérémy Doku – Momentum Dribbling

The new cards these additions target are for both collectables and tacticians who want cards that match their squad’s Link-Up strategy. Now managers can have a Centrepiece, Key Man, and Manager that can all enhance performance ratings.

Implications to Players & Meta

Image via Konami

This update represents a shift away from just “the best card wins” to focusing on building a synergistic team. Now players will need to think in pairs or trios (Centrepiece + Key Man + Manager) instead of just picking stars as opposed to a host of star-players on the pitch.

Depth & Constraints: Squads leaning towards Link-Up alignment will see pending performance enhancements, while squads misaligned will risk possible disbandment to the bonuses altogether.
Meta Shift: Expect to see teams focused on long-ball or fast-break strategies, as the Over-the-Top Pass B was particularly geared to favour a more aggressive style of play.
Monetization Push: By assigning linkages to Managers and new cards, Konami pushes players towards chasing certain combinations, raising early criticism for the pay-to-win option.

October 2025 update for eFootball 2026 signals a new era. With Link-Up playstyle (Over-the-Top Pass B), Frank Rijkaard as new Manager, and fresh Epic and Show Time cards, Konami pushed players to focus on synergy, tactics, and lineup optimization.

It provides strategists with greater depth but also presents issues of balance and monetization. How Konami continues to refine Link-Up in future patches will determine whether it becomes a cherished feature or a controversial one. For now, a chance for eFootball 2026 fans to experiment, build new combinations, and rethink team-building approaches.