Ferdinand made the remarks during a press conference in Dar es Salaam alongside Tanzania’s Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Paul Makonda, during a visit focused on youth football development and sports partnerships.
The former England defender said Tanzania possessed significant football talent that required greater investment, exposure and development opportunities to compete internationally.
“I have come to Tanzania to engage in football activities, not politics, and to help young people achieve their dreams in football and personal development,” Ferdinand said.
He said he planned to send members of his team to Qatar to monitor Tanzania’s Under-17 national side during the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup with the aim of identifying and supporting promising players.
The tournament is scheduled to take place in Qatar from Nov. 19 to Dec. 13, 2026.
“I will send my team to watch the Tanzania U-17 national team in Qatar in order to identify and support talent and see how we can help children from here progress and go far in football,” Ferdinand added.
The former defender also pledged to act as an international ambassador for Tanzanian football and said he hoped to involve other global football stars and legends in supporting the country’s football ambitions.
Ferdinand thanked the Tanzanian government and sports authorities for facilitating his visit and wished the country success in preparations for AFCON 2027, which Tanzania will co-host with Kenya and Uganda.
Sports Minister Makonda said Ferdinand was considering establishing a football training centre in Tanzania aimed at nurturing young players and creating pathways to professional football opportunities abroad.
According to Makonda, Ferdinand’s involvement could help Tanzanian players gain international exposure and attract attention from foreign clubs.
“Rio Ferdinand’s visit could open doors for promising young players to be spotted and signed by clubs abroad, which would help raise the standard of Tanzanian football on the international stage,” Makonda said.
He added that the government would continue working with sports stakeholders to improve conditions for youth talent development and expand opportunities for young athletes.
Makonda said Ferdinand’s engagement with youth teams could potentially lead to trials, scholarships and professional opportunities for talented Tanzanian players overseas.
Notes to Editors
– The story is primarily developmental rather than celebrity-focused; avoid reducing it to a simple sports appearance piece.
– Ferdinand’s remarks align with Tanzania’s broader effort to leverage AFCON 2027 as a catalyst for football infrastructure and talent growth.
– The proposed football training centre remains conceptual; no formal investment announcement or timeline has been disclosed.
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