Ghana has appointed veteran Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz as head coach of its national football team, the Black Stars, in a strategic move to revitalize its campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Ghana Football Association (GFA) confirmed the decision on Monday, April 13, 2026, following the departure of former coach Otto Addo earlier this month.
Queiroz, 73, brings decades of high-level experience to the role, having managed national teams such as South Africa, Portugal, Iran, and Egypt. His tenure with Iran, which spanned three consecutive World Cups (2014–2022), and his role as assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United have cemented his reputation for tactical discipline and defensive organization—traits Ghana hopes to leverage in a challenging group stage against England, Croatia, and Panama.
With less than three months until the tournament kicks off in North America on June 11, Queiroz faces an urgent timeline to stabilize the squad. His first test comes on June 17 against Panama in Toronto, followed by critical matches against 2022 semifinalists Croatia and 2022 quarterfinalists England.
The GFA emphasized that Queiroz’s immediate focus will be on instilling resilience and competitive structure, aiming to avoid a repeat of Ghana’s early exit in the 2022 World Cup. Analysts suggest his ability to maximize limited resources could prove pivotal in one of the tournament’s most unpredictable groups.
