Manchester United's boss reckons their refusal to join other nations in enforcing a winter break did the harm.
England flopped and some stars looked tired.
Ferguson said: "The FA has to give the country the best possible chance of doing well in the World Cup.
"Because of the nature of our game, and because of the demands from television to have a programme every week, the idea of a winter break, which I was first talking about 30 years ago in Scotland and have done since I came down to England, has come to nothing.
"They must realise that, going into the World Cup, they have handicapped their team."
Any decision on a break would have to be agreed between the FA and Premier League.
But so far the idea has hardly ever been talked about due to the demands of the English season.
Three of the four World Cup semi-finalists - Spain, Germany and Holland - have breaks.
United's Wayne Rooney was among those who suffered the most as England folded.
Ferguson is ensuring his World Cup players get an extended rest to July 28 and none are on the pre-season tour of America.
Subject: Fergie: Give Stars a break 
Wed Jul 21, 2010 9:28 am
