Ghana appoint Carlos Queiroz as new head coach ahead of World Cup
The Ghana Football Association has confirmed the appointment of Carlos Queiroz as the new head coach of the Black Stars. The 73-year-old Portuguese manager takes over just two weeks after the dismissal of Otto Addo and will lead Ghana at this summer's World Cup in North America.
Queiroz, whose extensive career includes a stint at Real Madrid in the 2003-04 season, brings vast international experience to the role. He has managed ten different national teams, including Portugal, Iran, Egypt, and most recently Oman. His contract terms with the Ghanaian federation were not disclosed in the official announcement.
The immediate task for Queiroz will be to prepare the team for a challenging World Cup group. Ghana will face Panama in their opening match on June 18, before clashes with England on June 23 and Croatia on June 27. According to the federation's statement, he will oversee friendly matches against Mexico and Wales as part of the team's preparation for the tournament.
This summer will mark Queiroz's fifth consecutive World Cup as a head coach or assistant, a run that began with Portugal in 2010 and continued with Iran in 2014, 2018, and 2022. His best performance came in 2010 when he led Portugal to the Round of 16. His most recent role with Oman ended without qualification for the 2022 World Cup.
The appointment represents a swift and decisive move by the Ghanaian federation to secure a manager with proven tournament pedigree ahead of a major competition. Queiroz's reputation is built on organizational discipline and tactical structure, qualities Ghana will hope can stabilize the team after a period of transition.
For Queiroz, the role offers a return to the global stage after his spell in the Middle East. His immediate challenge will be to quickly instill his philosophy and select a cohesive squad from Ghana's pool of talent, which includes players based across Europe's top leagues. The move signifies Ghana's intent to progress from a difficult group and make a significant impact at the tournament.
