Ghana’s football association has appointed Carlos Queiroz as head coach of the Black Stars, making the Portuguese tactician the first man to lead five different national teams into consecutive FIFA World Cup tournaments. The 70-year-old takes over a side that reached the knockout stage in 2022 but failed to advance past the group phase.
Queiroz’s global résumé
Queiroz brings nearly three decades of international experience. He previously guided Portugal (2010), Iran (2014 and 2018), Egypt (2021-2022) and Colombia (2022-2023) through World Cup cycles. His last stint with Colombia ended after the team failed to qualify for Qatar 2022, though he had already secured a spot with Egypt for that edition before a mid-cycle departure. No other coach has led four distinct nations to the tournament, let alone five.
Ghana’s ambition and challenge
The Black Stars are rebuilding after a disappointing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where they exited in the group stage. Ghana’s immediate target is qualification for the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The team currently sits second in Group I of the African qualifiers, behind Comoros, with four matches left. Queiroz’s task is to secure one of the nine automatic berths from Africa.
What Queiroz brings
Queiroz is known for his defensive organization and ability to maximize limited talent pools, particularly during his eight-year tenure with Iran. He led Iran to its best-ever World Cup performance in 2018, holding Portugal to a draw and earning four points. Ghana’s players have praised the appointment, highlighting his tactical clarity and World Cup experience as assets. Midfielder Thomas Partey called Queiroz “a coach who knows how to get results at the highest level.”
Next steps for the Black Stars
Queiroz is expected to take charge for Ghana’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers in June 2025 against Madagascar and the Central African Republic. His first camp will be in Accra later this month, where he will assess local and diaspora-based players. The federation has not disclosed contract length, but sources close to the talks suggest it runs through the 2026 tournament.
