Rio Ferdinand has secured an unexpected new position with EA SPORTS that will take him to Bangkok later this week.
The former Manchester United defender will travel to Thailand to work at the Visa Presents EA SPORTS FC Mobile Festival on 14 and 15 June.
The 46-year-old will host a question and answer session on stage during the two-day event. He is also scheduled to participate in an FC Mobile showmatch alongside gamers.
Ferdinand's duties will include presenting the winner's trophy and the £22,000 prize money on the festival's final day. The role marks a shift from traditional football coverage to the virtual gaming sphere.
Rio Ferdinand has secured an unexpected new position with EA SPORTS that will take him to Bangkok later this week
PA
His new position means Ferdinand will be working in South East Asia whilst the opening matches of the Club World Cup take place in the United States.
The timing places him more than 6,000 miles away from the UK during the tournament's first two fixtures.
The festival will feature the region's best FC Mobile competitors from across Asia and the Middle East. They will compete in front of global football personalities and social media influencers.
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Next stop, Bangkok… I’m heading to the EA SPORTS FC™️ Mobile Festival Bangkok—where passion, skill, and football culture collide!
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) June 9, 2025
Can’t wait to see you all 👊🏽 pic.twitter.com/CpGQohRApK
Ferdinand announced his new role on X with a poster image of himself. He wrote: "Next stop, Bangkok I'm heading to the Mobile Festival Bangkokwhere passion, skill, and football culture collide! Can't wait to see you all."
The new role comes just weeks after Ferdinand ended his decade-long punditry position at TNT Sports.
His final appearance was on 31 May when he covered Paris Saint-Germain's 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League final.
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In his departure statement, Ferdinand expressed enthusiasm about future opportunities.
He said: "I'm excited about what the future holds, spending more time with my family, focusing on Rio Ferdinand Presents and my other business interests."
The former England captain added: "I hope to stay connected with all of you in different capacities. Thank you once again for everything."
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Reports have indicated that Ferdinand could potentially return to the channel in future, however, either as a guest or in a permanent capacity.
The decision not to renew his TNT Sports contract allows Ferdinand to focus on his expanding online channels, which have gained significant traction.
The Bangkok festival will showcase elite mobile gaming talent competing for substantial prizes. Ferdinand's involvement highlights the growing intersection between traditional football figures and the esports industry.
Rio Ferdinand left TNT Sports after the recent Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan, which the Ligue 1 titans won 5-0
PA
As a player, Ferdinand won six Premier League titles with Manchester United.
He also won the Champions League in 2008 and played in finals in 2009 and 2011, with the Red Devils losing to Barcelona on those occasions.
Ferdinand also made 81 appearances for England. He turned out for West Ham, Leeds United and Queens Park Rangers before retiring from football in 2015.
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