Carlos Queiroz: Portugal Tactician Named Black Stars Head Coach for 2026 World Cup
- The Ghana Football Association have officially appointed Carlos Queiroz as Black Stars head coach ahead of the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup
- The Portuguese tactician arrives with vast experience, having managed multiple national teams and built a reputation for tactical organisation at the highest level
- Ghana will kick off their World Cup campaign against Panama on June 17 in Toronto before taking on England and Croatia in their remaining group matches
The Ghana Football Association has appointed Carlos Queiroz as the new head coach of the Black Stars, marking a significant step in the team’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The decision, taken by the GFA Executive Council in consultation with key stakeholders, brings an end to weeks of speculation over the coaching role following the exit of Otto Addo.
Source: Getty Images
According to Ghanaian sports journalist Muftawu Nabila, Queiroz will earn close to $100,000 per month, a figure understood to be almost double the salary of his predecessor Otto Addo.
His short-term contract runs for four months and is expected to include a backroom staff of five.
Queiroz arrives with a wealth of experience at the highest level of international football, having managed several national teams and top clubs.
His résumé includes spells with Real Madrid and Manchester United, as well as national sides such as Portugal, Iran, Egypt, Oman, Japan and Qatar, according to Africa Soccer.
His extensive World Cup pedigree is expected to play a crucial role in Ghana’s campaign.
He guided South Africa national football team to qualification for the 2002 tournament, led Portugal to the knockout stage in 2010, and managed Iran at both the 2014 and 2018 editions.
The 73-year-old takes charge at a pivotal moment, with the tournament fast approaching.
Source: Getty Images
He is expected to begin work immediately, focusing on assessing the squad, assembling his technical team and preparing the Black Stars for the global stage.
Ghana will open their World Cup campaign against Panama on June 17 in Toronto, before facing England and Croatia in their remaining group fixtures.
The appointment underlines Ghana’s intent to lean on experience and structure as they aim to compete strongly on the world stage.
What is Queiroz's coaching style?
The former Real Madrid manager and one-time assistant to Alex Ferguson is known for building well-organised teams grounded in defensive discipline and collective responsibility.
His approach focuses on structure, adaptability and unity, qualities that have been missing in recent Black Stars performances.
Watch a video of Queiroz's coaching style, as shared on YouTube:
For a team searching for identity, his methods could provide much-needed stability, similar to the organised setup that defined Ghana’s run at the 2010 World Cup.
Why Ghana won't hire a permanent coach
In a related report, YEN.com.gh stated that Ghana may not appoint a permanent Black Stars coach before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
UK-based journalist Rahman Osman said financial constraints and limited preparation time would be discouraging to many top coaches.
Source: YEN.com.gh
