Carlos Queiroz Appointed as Ghana’s Head Coach, Aiming for World Cup Glory

Carlos Queiroz has been officially unveiled as the new head coach of Ghana’s national football team, the Black Stars, following his swift and eventful arrival in the country.

The Portuguese manager landed in Accra on Wednesday and met with the Minister of Sports, Kofi Adams, the following morning.

He was later introduced to the media at the Alisa Hotel, marking his first official address as the coach of Ghana.

Maintaining the current technical staff

A significant point raised during the announcement was the structure of Queiroz’s support team. Henry Asante Twum, Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association, confirmed that several existing technical team members will continue in their roles.

“Among those remaining are assistant coach Desmond Offei, goalkeepers trainer Fatawu Dauda, and high-performance coach John Paintsil,” he stated.

This move facilitates continuity as Queiroz begins his work with limited preparation time ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

‘The greatest challenge yet’

Regardless of a distinguished managerial career that includes experiences with top clubs like Manchester United, Real Madrid, and the Portugal national team, Queiroz regards the role with Ghana as his most formidable challenge.

“I’ve managed numerous teams in my career, but this is the greatest challenge I have ever faced,” he confessed.

“Since my arrival, I have sensed the profound spirit of the Black Stars, and this translates to immense dreams and expectations. I am fully prepared for it. Let’s embark on this journey together.”

He continued, “Being part of this sporting family is both an honour and a privilege for me. Leading this African nation to the World Cup will create an unforgettable memory in my life.”

A focus on winning

Queiroz steps into his role at a challenging time for Ghana as they contend with four consecutive defeats. Nevertheless, the 71-year-old is clear about his philosophy.

“My players must be ready to battle and secure victories. It’s not about making promises. What I can assure is that we will strive to win,” he emphasised.

“The only cure for Ghana football and the world is to secure victories. At this moment, 99.9% of my focus is on achieving success at the World Cup.

“Ghana will not merely be recognised as a football nation, but as a nation of champions.”

Open competition for selection

In terms of player selection, Queiroz made it clear that neither reputation nor location will guarantee a spot on his team.

“A national team is akin to a house without windows and doors. There are no shortcuts into it,” he articulated.

“Whether a player is based locally or abroad is inconsequential; what truly matters is quality. If local players can prove their worth, they will undoubtedly be included.

“No one owns the national team jersey. It is my responsibility to provide fair opportunities. It is my duty to ensure that those who don the shirt genuinely earn it.”

Encouragement for local talent

With limited time at his disposal, Queiroz has requested the Ghana Football Association to identify the best locally based talents through the Black Galaxies programme.

This initiative will enable him to closely observe and evaluate players, with standout individuals having the potential to earn spots in his provisional World Cup squad.

Currently, around 35 players are training under coach Kassim Ocansey, preparing for an upcoming friendly on May 22nd.

Players like Benjamin Asare and Salim Adams are expected to perform well as they strive to secure their places in the Black Stars.

Some of these athletes may even participate in Ghana’s friendly against Mexico later in May.

The journey ahead

The focus now shifts to preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where Ghana is set to face Mexico and Wales in prominent friendly matches, with plans to secure a final match against an opponent akin to Panama.

In the tournament, Ghana has been drawn into Group L, alongside England, Panama, and Croatia.

With expectations running high and time of the essence, the newly appointed Black Stars coach faces the challenge of guiding Ghana past the group stage for the first time since 2010.