Highlights

  • Mobile soccer games have improved in terms of visuals and gameplay, rivaling their console counterparts.
  • These games offer the benefit of being playable on the go, allowing easy access for soccer fans.
  • Each game mentioned in the article has unique features and gameplay mechanics that contribute to their overall fun factor and replay value.

While there are plenty of big-budget soccer games on consoles, there are also a fair few that are just as fun and engaging on mobile too. Mobile gaming has come a very long way since its inception in the late 90s, and while there have been plenty of arcade-like soccer mobile games throughout the years, they are now at a point where many of them are much more technologically advanced and almost rival their console counterparts in terms of visuals and gameplay.

6:12
Related
Mobile Games With The Best Graphics

The world of gaming on mobiles has found a new dimension. Here's a list of top games that look incredibly good on Android or iOS.

There's also the obvious benefit that they can be played on the go, making it extremely easy to fit in a match while on public transport, or even during half-time for those true soccer fans who just can't get enough of the beautiful game. These are the best soccer mobile games that have made an impression on fans for their replay value and overall fun factor.

7 World Soccer League

Google Play Score: 4.3

Player Kicking A Ball At The Goal With Other Players On The Pitch
World Soccer League

Platform(s)
Android , iOS
Released
October 29, 2015
Developer
mobirix

World Soccer League might not be as big of a name as PES or Fifa, and while the gameplay isn't quite as sharp or refined, it's still packed full of content. The game features over 60 national teams and 2,000 players, along with four game modes which are all a ton of fun to jump into. Exhibition is the typical free-play mode where players can play a quick match against an AI, but the League mode is where the game shines, ramping up the challenge and difficulty tremendously.

The game is also quite stripped back in its mechanics which might sound like a bad thing, but it does also make it very accessible so that anyone can play without having to learn a bunch of new mechanics. By far the biggest downside to the game is that some teams are barred behind a paywall which is a real shame because it's great otherwise.

6 Real Football

Google Play Score: 3.7

Player Taking A Corner With Other Players In The Box
Real Football

Platform(s)
Android , iOS
Released
September 29, 2016
Developer(s)
Gameloft

Real Football can initially seem pretty sub-par or even basic on the surface, but the core gameplay is very engaging, and a lot of this has to do with the smaller mechanics that help the game feel as immersive and intuitive as possible. For example, during a match, players will be able to control the power of their passes, and will also be able to initiate long passes and crosses to accommodate specific lineups and styles of play.

The multiple camera views also give each match a real cinematic aspect which is a very neat addition. The only issue is that not all the gameplay mechanics work as they should, especially the tackling, which can be very unresponsive. Still, Real Football has a lot going for it, and it also features some great team-building features to add to the replay value.

5 Score! Hero

Google Play Score: 4.2

Player Taking A Curved Shot With A Star Rating Above The Player
Score! Hero

Platform(s)
Android , iOS
Released
November 19, 2015
Developer
First Touch Games Ltd.

Score! Hero doesn't play like your typical soccer game where the player can control one or multiple players to navigate an entire team. Instead, the game takes an over-the-shoulder perspective and puts all of its focus on the skill of shooting, passing, and crossing the ball, which makes it a lot slower and more strategic compared to many other soccer titles.

Related
7 Sports Games That Tried Something Different (And Succeeded)

Some games simply use the sport they depict as a foundation for something decidedly different, and, sometimes, those games are just as much fun.

Since the camera is constantly zoomed in, the graphics also need to be at least passable, and luckily, the game really does have some stunning visuals that only help to add to the overall immersion. The way the game simulates matches and player behaviors depending on how the player interacts with the ball is quite amazing, and while there's a severe lack of modes, it's still a great game for soccer fans who like taking their time to plan out their next move on the pitch.

4 New Star Soccer

Google Play Score: 4.5

Over The Top Camera Of Players In Blue And Yellow Kits
New Star Soccer

Platform(s)
Android , iOS
Released
March 6, 2012
Developer
Five Aces Publishing Ltd.

Anyone familiar with the classic arcade soccer games will be right at home playing New Star Soccer. The game isn't trying to be as visually impressive as possible, but instead, it's going for a slightly more retro look which keeps things simple, but also makes it very easy to keep track of the players and how they're going to move around the pitch.

The core of the game is the Career mode where the player starts as a talented 16-year-old who needs to build their way up through the leagues by managing their sponsors, conducting interviews, and of course, proving their worth in matches. It's very challenging in this regard, and a simple mistake can easily cost some of the player's popularity. This can end up being pretty annoying for some people, but for anyone who wants an immersive soccer game that they can really get stuck into, New Star Soccer is one of the best mobile games out there.

3 Ultimate Soccer

Google Play Score: 3.8

Players In Yellow And blue Kits Playing Soccer
Ultimate Soccer

Platform(s)
Android , iOS
Released
May 4, 2015
Developer
Mouse Games

Ultimate Soccer manages to strike the perfect balance between fast and slow gameplay which makes each match feel incredibly realistic, especially because controlling players also feels extremely responsive and intuitive. The League game mode is actually very challenging and will push even the most experienced soccer video game players to their limit, and the World Cup mode ramps this up to a whole new level entirely.

There are also plenty of small quality-of-life details that help the game stand out, such as instant goal replay, something a lot of mobile soccer games don't include, but that helps to add some extra flare to the gameplay. The Squad Builder is also a lot more streamlined than many other games, though this can end up making it feel a little bare-bones for anyone who loves feeling like a true soccer manager in their games.

2 EA Sports FC Mobile

Google Play Score: 4.4

Vinicius Jr
EA Sports FC Mobile

Platform(s)
Android , iOS
Released
October 10, 2016
Developer(s)
Electronic Arts

EA's FC Mobile has a ton of modes players can try out when loading up the game, and it's this variety that makes it so downright addictive. While the Ultimate Team is undoubtedly the highlight of the game and is just as engaging as it is on the console versions, the Manager Mode is also in-depth and allows players to experiment with different players, lineups, and tactics to counter the other team.

3:18
Related
15 Best FIFA Games Ever, Ranked

EA's FIFA franchise has seen plenty of ups and downs. This list focuses on the series' high points by ranking its best-ever releases.

EA has also done an excellent job at keeping the experience fresh by providing constant updates which not only improve the basic mechanics and visuals but also introduce new Events and rewards depending on how well players perform in a season. There are also no restrictions on which soccer players can be used, so whether it's teams from the UEFA Champions League, or the Bundesliga, all of them are fully usable. The game can randomly start to stutter now and again, and there is a rather unusual blurriness to the graphics which can be pretty noticeable in certain matches, but it's nonetheless a great mobile adaptation of the most popular soccer console series ever.

1 eFootball 2024

Players Jumping Up To Header A Ball
eFootball 2024

Released
September 30, 2021
Developer(s)
Konami

There was once a time when Konami's PES games were seen as little more than an underwhelming replica of its main competitor Fifa, but since the series has been rebranded to eFootball, it's been clear that the developers are putting much more effort into improving the overall quality of the gameplay. There isn't too much bad to say about eFootball 2024. Not only is the general movement and dribbling incredibly fluid and the best of any mobile soccer game but some deeper mechanics give the game a pretty steep learning curve to master.

The graphics are also outstanding, with even the smallest details like the player's boots or the fans in the crowd all looking incredibly realistic which helps add to the immersion. While a lot of soccer games also struggle with their AI, the several difficulties in eFootball prevent them from ever feeling too unfair or a pushover. Combine all this with a plethora of game modes, an easy straightforward UI, and a massive online competitive scene, and there's something here for every soccer fan to enjoy.

MORE: Best Racing Games You Can Play On Mobile