Like many other parts of the world that have shut down to fend off the rapid rise of COVID-19 infections, the world of football has been reeling from the impacts of suspensions and cancellations of its live sporting events.

This doesn’t mean the games have to stop, though. Football leagues, clubs, and players are turning to online video games like FIFA 20 and Pro Evolution Soccer 2020 (PES 2020) in these dire times.

World-renowned players like Liverpool FC’s Trent Alexander-Arnold and Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford are among the many real-life athletes leading the charge in making virtual football a worthwhile alternative.

Likewise, initiatives are being taken from club level, with AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain FC, and Leyton Orient FC, among others organizing their respective online tournaments.

Football leagues and tournaments are also putting together virtual competitions to keep fans — as well as the players themselves — occupied and entertained while everyone is required to stay cooped up inside their houses.



Missing your football fix? Here’s a checklist of ongoing and upcoming online tournaments you can still catch:

  • All at Home Gaming Cup: Open to gamers around the world, this FIFA 20 tournament organized by Paris Saint-Germain FC gives football fans the chance to play against Juan Bernat, Julian Draxler, Layvin Kurzawa, and PSG FIFA pro DaXe
  • Bundesliga Home Challenge: 29 official football teams from this German league have put together two-man teams to play in this online tournament
  • Combat Corona: Started on April 5, this FIFA 20 tourney features a long list of real-life football pros including Gareth Bale, Paulo Dybala, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek
  • EA Sports FIFA 20 Stay and Play: Scheduled to run April 15-19, EA Sports’ very own knockout tourney promises participation from professional players from elite clubs like Chelsea, Liverpool, Real Madrid, and more.
  • eLiga MX: The Mexican football league may have been shut down since March 15, but the games will go on with three players from each club battling it out in a digital version of their 2020 Clausura season
  • eMLS Friendly Series: The US football league is hosting a series of online FIFA 20 friendly matches among its clubs
  • The Football’s Staying Home Cup: Organized by The Football Association, this tournament features an all-star cast of players from England’s pro football scene competing on FIFA 20
  • The STAY INtertoto Cup: Ever wanted to see players from the Premier League, Championship, and Football Leagues go head to head? This FIFA 20 virtual tournament will make it happen.
  • UEFA eEURO 2020: Played on PES 2020, this international competition will have its playoffs on April 20 and 27, with the finals happening May 3-4

As more real-life sporting events transition into the esports scene, fans can likely expect to see more virtual tournaments in the near future as home quarantine initiatives continue to be upheld.

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