Carlos Queiroz appointed Black Stars head coach for 2026 FIFA World Cup

The Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association, working with all key stakeholders, has appointed Carlos Queiroz as head coach of the senior national team, the Ghana national football team.

The highly experienced tactician, who has previously coached top clubs and national teams including Real Madrid, Manchester United, Portugal national team, and Iran national team, is expected to bring a wealth of international expertise and tactical discipline to the Black Stars setup.

Coach Queiroz will lead Ghana’s campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. His appointment is seen as a strategic move by the GFA to strengthen the team’s technical direction ahead of the prestigious tournament.

Queiroz boasts an extensive World Cup pedigree. He led South Africa national team to qualification for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, guided Portugal to the knockout phase in 2010, and took charge of Iran at both the 2014 and 2018 tournaments, where his teams were known for their defensive organization and tactical resilience.

Beyond the World Cup, his coaching résumé includes stints in Egypt national team, Oman national team, Japan national team, and Qatar national team, further highlighting his global experience across different football cultures and competitive environments.

Coach Queiroz begins work immediately to prepare the Black Stars for the tournament, focusing on squad development, tactical cohesion, and competitive readiness. His immediate priority will be to assess player form, integrate emerging talents, and build a balanced squad capable of competing at the highest level.

The tournament kicks off on June 11, 2026, with Ghana set to play its first group match against Panama national team on June 17, 2026, in Toronto, Canada. The Black Stars will then face formidable opponents in England national team and Croatia national team in the remaining group fixtures.

Football analysts believe Queiroz’s experience at the global stage could prove crucial as Ghana aims to make a strong impression and potentially advance beyond the group stage in what is expected to be a highly competitive tournament.