GOALS is a free-to-play, cross-platform football game that went live on June 4, 2026, and it arrives with a hook aimed squarely at younger players. KSI, the influencer and football fan, joins the roster as the first playable "Original," a real-world figure dropped into a game otherwise built around uniquely generated athletes.
Quick answer: GOALS is out now for free on PS5, Xbox Series S/X, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, with KSI available as the first Original at launch. You can grab it and read the full game guide at playgoals.com.
What GOALS is and where it fits
Developed in Stockholm by a 70-plus person studio, GOALS positions itself against the likes of EA Sports FC 26 and Football Manager 26. The pitch from the team is simple. CEO Andreas Thorstensson said the game was "built to reflect the glory days of football games," arguing that the genre had grown "stagnant" under "bloated licensing models and sub-par gameplay."
The design choice that sets it apart is its roster. Instead of licensing real players, GOALS fills clubs with distinct, randomly generated athletes who each have their own stats and grow as you progress. That approach sidesteps the licensing churn that drives annual football releases.
KSI as the first Original
The "Originals" system is the one exception to GOALS' generated roster. Originals are real-life individuals who are, in the studio's words, "visually authentic to their real selves, but evolving as they progress, meaning no two Originals will ever be the same." Their stats stay randomized like everyone else's, so two players will not end up with the same version of the same person.
KSI is the first of these, described as an "influencer, entrepreneur and football fanatic" and available from launch. The studio has framed Originals as a home for streamers, influencers, and legends, which signals more crossover names to come, though no follow-up Original has been confirmed yet. GOALS also sells a premium currency, so access to KSI is likely tied to that economy.
How the gameplay works (SENTEC engine)
GOALS runs on a proprietary engine called SENTEC, short for Simulation Engine and Netcode Technology. Technical Director Torbjörn Söderman said it "ensures that movement, collisions and ball interaction happen instantly and without delay for both players," with the goal of a responsive, lag-free match regardless of platform.
That netcode work matters for a game leaning entirely on individual skill. With no comeback mechanics dictating outcomes, every pass, tackle, and shot comes down to your reactions, and the connection has to keep up.
Day-one features and modes
Here is what is playable from launch.
| Area | What it includes |
|---|---|
| Competitive & Casual Play | Ranked, Quickplay, Knockout, and Friendly matches, plus Tournaments and Solo Tournaments against bots |
| Skill Zone & Practice Arena | Solo Play vs Bots and a Practice Arena with Rookie, Contender, and Champion scenarios |
| Dynamic Challenges | Rotating Daily and Weekly challenges scaled across Rookie, Contender, and Champion tiers |
| Team Management & Upgrades | Grow your roster and upgrade unique player attributes to fit your playstyle |
| Store, Swaps & Customization | Unlock and trade custom Kits and Celebrations, and use Swaps to exchange lower-rated players for player packs |
Platforms and how to start playing
GOALS is available now on PS5, Xbox Series S/X, and PC through both Steam and the Epic Games Store. A separate companion app lets you manage your team and open packs away from the main game, and it is available on iOS and Android.
Step 1: Download GOALS for free on your platform of choice, or visit the official site to review the game guide, game modes, and tutorial first.
Step 2: Install the companion app if you want to manage your roster and open packs on the go. It is listed on the App Store and Google Play.
Once you are in, you can confirm KSI is available by checking the Originals listing alongside the in-game store. Because GOALS is free and cross-platform, you can jump straight into Quickplay or the Practice Arena without any upfront purchase, and decide later whether to spend on premium currency for items like the first Original.