Ghana appoints Carlos Queiroz as Black Stars head coach

The Ghana Football Association has named experienced Portuguese tactician Carlos Queiroz as the new head coach of the senior national team, the Black Stars, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The decision, taken by the GFA’s Executive Council in consultation with key stakeholders, signals a strategic move to bring vast international experience to Ghana’s technical bench as the country prepares for the global showpiece to be hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Queiroz, 72, is widely regarded as one of the most seasoned coaches in international football, with a résumé that spans multiple continents and World Cup campaigns. He previously worked with top clubs such as Real Madrid and Manchester United, and also handled national teams including Portugal, Iran, Egypt, and South Africa.

His World Cup credentials are particularly notable. He guided South Africa to qualification for the 2002 tournament, led Portugal to the Round of 16 at the 2010 finals in South Africa, and managed Iran at both the 2014 and 2018 editions, where the Asian side gained global respect for their disciplined performances.

The Portuguese coach is expected to immediately begin preparations for Ghana’s World Cup campaign, with the tournament set to kick off on June 11, 2026. The Black Stars will open their group stage matches against Panama on June 17 in Toronto, before taking on European heavyweights England and Croatia.

Ghana will be hoping Queiroz’s tactical discipline and tournament experience can help improve their recent World Cup record. The Black Stars have qualified for four World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014, and 2022), with their best performance coming in 2010, when they reached the quarterfinals—becoming only the third African nation to do so.

However, Ghana has struggled in recent tournaments, exiting at the group stage in both 2014 and 2022. The appointment of Queiroz is therefore seen as an effort to stabilize the team and maximize its potential on the global stage.

Throughout his coaching career, Queiroz has been known for building defensively solid teams and nurturing young talent, qualities the GFA will be counting on as Ghana aims to make a significant impact in 2026.

With just over a year to the tournament, attention will now turn to squad selection, international friendlies, and tactical preparations as the Black Stars seek to re-establish themselves among football’s elite.