Ghana hire Queiroz as manager for World Cup - 'It is a mission'

Accra, Ghana – In a dramatic late-cycle shake-up, the Ghana Football Association has appointed veteran strategist Carlos Queiroz as head coach of the Black Stars, handing the Portuguese mastermind responsibility for steering the squad at the looming 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The announcement, made in the Ghanaian capital on Tuesday, confirms Queiroz’s return to the international dug-out just weeks before the tournament kicks off. He succeeds Otto Addo, who was dismissed last month after the federation concluded that fresh leadership was required to maximise the team’s potential on the global stage.

Ghanaian officials described Queiroz’s mandate in stark terms, labelling the appointment “a mission” aimed at galvanising a squad that has shown flashes of promise but struggled for consistency in recent qualifiers. The 2026 World Cup, set to be hosted across North America, will mark Ghana’s fourth successive appearance at the finals, and the federation is determined to improve on previous showings.

Queiroz, renowned for meticulous preparation and tactical flexibility, now faces the challenge of assembling a cohesive unit in a compressed timeframe. With training camps and warm-up fixtures expected to be arranged hastily, the Portuguese coach will need to assess player fitness, implement his system, and foster unity within a squad still adjusting to the abrupt managerial change.

Ghana’s football community greeted the news with a mixture of anticipation and urgency, aware that the clock is ticking toward the opening match. Supporters will hope Queiroz’s extensive résumé, which includes multiple World Cup campaigns with different nations, can translate into swift results and a competitive edge when the Black Stars take the field in North America.