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Ferdinand: AFCON deserves prime time, not league clashes
4 Jan
Summary
- Rio Ferdinand urges European leagues to pause for AFCON.
- He highlights African players' significant impact on elite leagues.
- AFCON should align with Euros and Copa América scheduling.
Former Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand has urged European and other international football leagues to observe a break during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Ferdinand highlighted the profound impact of African players on the global game, noting their prominence in elite European leagues and the Champions League.
He argues that the departure of these key players significantly diminishes the quality of domestic leagues such as the Premier League and La Liga. Ferdinand questioned why AFCON is not scheduled concurrently with major tournaments like the European Championship and Copa América, which are held during periods when most leagues are off.
Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe announced that starting after the 2027 edition, AFCON will be held every four years. The current 2025 AFCON in Morocco commenced on December 21, 2025, and is scheduled to conclude on January 18, 2026.
