Ghana coach Carlos Quieroz sends strong message after taking charge

Ghana national team new head coach Carlos Quieroz has issued a strong statement while confirming he has accepted the mission to guide the Black Stars as a replacement of fired Otto Addo.

The experienced Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz will coach the West African nation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after the country’s football association announced his hiring Monday.

💬 First words from Carlos Queiroz as #BlackStars Head Coach. 🇬🇭 pic.twitter.com/Q3cxcuXoG4

— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) April 13, 2026

The 73-year-old will coach at his fourth World Cup, having previously led Iran at the 2018 and 2022 editions as well as his native Portugal at the 2010 tournament in South Africa.

Ghana is a nation of talent and pride

“It is with a deep sense of gratitude to GFA, responsibility and humility that I embrace this new chapter with the National Football Team of Ghana,” said Quieroz in a statement published by Ghana Football Association website.

“Football has given me a lifetime of challenges, lessons, and unforgettable journeys, all over the world. Today, I accept this mission with the same passion and commitment that have guided me throughout my career.

“Ghana is a nation of talent, pride, and footballing soul. I arrive with respect for its history and belief in its future. Together, with unity, discipline, and ambition, we will work to honour the expectations of a great football nation.

“This is not just another job – it is a mission. And I am ready to give everything of my experience and knowledge once again, in service of the game and the happiness of People.”

Queiroz was most recently with the Oman national team, where he reportedly stepped down three weeks ago due to regional instability caused by the ongoing war in the Gulf Region.

After coaching Iran at the 2022 edition in Qatar, the veteran tactician guided the Qatar national team in 2023 from February through December that year before taking a hiatus.

Queiroz began career with Sporting CP

He began his head coaching career with Lisbon heavyweights Sporting CP before coaching club teams in the United States and Japan. His first experience in African football came with the South Africa national team, where he guided Bafana Bafana to qualification for the 2002 World Cup before resigning before the finals.

He also led the Egypt national team, taking the Pharaohs to the final of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations where they fell to champions Senegal following a penalty shootout.

Queiroz was also an assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United with two spells sandwiched by a stint as head coach at Real Madrid.

He left Old Trafford in 2008 to take the reins with the Portugal team, beginning fifteen years in charge of national teams that also included Colombia, Egypt and most notably Iran where he coached over 100 matches with the Asian powerhouse.

Ghana to face Panama in World Cup opener

His new team are counting on Queiroz to guide the Black Stars to a respectable showing at the 2026 finals co-hosted by Mexico, Canada and the United States. A difficult challenge awaits in Group L, where they are grouped with England, Panama and Croatia.

Their opening match will be against Panama on June 17 in Toronto, Canada before traveling to the USA to face England (June 23) in Foxboro, Massachusetts and Croatia (June 27) in Philadelphia.