Carlos Queiroz Leads Ghana To 2026 World Cup

The Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association has appointed Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz as the new head coach of the Black Stars as Ghana begins preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Ghana Football Association confirmed that Queiroz will take immediate charge of the team. His main task will be to prepare the Black Stars for the World Cup and guide them through the qualification of expectations leading into the competition.

The decision was taken in consultation with key stakeholders in Ghana football. The appointment brings an experienced international manager to lead the national team as it targets a strong performance at the global tournament scheduled to take place in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Carlos Queiroz arrives with a long and respected coaching career. He has worked with several top national teams and clubs across the world. His experience includes coaching roles at Real Madrid, Manchester United, Portugal, Iran, Egypt, Oman, Japan, and Qatar. He is widely known for his tactical discipline and ability to organize teams in major tournaments.

Queiroz also has strong World Cup experience. He led South Africa to qualification for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, guided Portugal to the knockout stage in 2010, and managed Iran in both the 2014 and 2018 editions of the tournament. This record is one of the reasons Ghana football authorities believe he is well suited for the job.

Under his leadership, Ghana will aim to build a competitive squad ahead of the tournament. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to begin on June 11, 2026. Ghana’s first group match will be played against Panama on June 17, 2026, in Toronto, Canada. The Black Stars will also face England and Croatia in other Group matches, making it one of the toughest groups in the competition.

Black Stars supporters will be hoping the new coach can restore confidence and improve team performance after mixed results in recent international competitions. The Ghana Football Association expects Queiroz to bring structure, discipline, and experience to the squad.

In his first message after his appointment, Queiroz expressed gratitude and commitment. He described the role as more than a coaching job, calling it a national mission. He said he was humbled by the opportunity to lead Ghana and promised to give his full energy and experience to the team.

He also spoke about his coaching journey around the world, saying football has given him many lessons, challenges, and unforgettable experiences. According to him, those experiences have prepared him for a role of this magnitude.

Queiroz highlighted the importance of unity and discipline within the team. He described Ghana as a country with great football talent, pride, and passion. He said he respects the nation’s football history and believes strongly in its future potential.

He added that teamwork will be key to success. In his view, players, technical staff, and supporters must work together if Ghana wants to achieve strong results at the World Cup.

Queiroz concluded by stressing his personal commitment, saying the job is not just another appointment but a mission he is ready to fully dedicate himself to.