Outgoing Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has called for lasting structural reforms to secure the future of Ghana football as he stepped down following the Black Stars’ exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 73-year-old Portuguese tactician was appointed head coach of the Black Stars in April 2026, replacing Otto Addo just weeks before the World Cup. A veteran of five consecutive FIFA World Cup tournaments as a head coach, Queiroz was tasked with leading Ghana’s campaign in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Under his leadership, Ghana progressed from Group L to the Round of 32 after overcoming Panama and securing enough points to qualify before bowing out with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Colombia in the knockout stage. Despite the early exit, Queiroz was widely credited with restoring discipline and competitiveness to the Black Stars.
In a farewell message, the Portuguese coach reflected on his tenure with pride while stressing that the national team must continue striving for greater achievements.
“I leave this journey with pride in what we achieved, but also with the healthy dissatisfaction of those who always wanted more. Reaching a higher level should never be the destination, it should be the beginning of even greater ambitions.”
He also encouraged the team to view its World Cup campaign as a valuable learning experience, urging players and stakeholders to use the disappointment of elimination as motivation for future success.
“Football, like life, teaches us one timeless lesson: you either win or you learn.”
The former Black Stars coach expressed gratitude to the Ghana Football Association for entrusting him with the role and thanked his players, technical staff and Ghanaian supporters for their dedication throughout the campaign.
Although Ghana’s World Cup journey ended earlier than expected, Queiroz maintained that the team had represented the nation with honour and helped rebuild its reputation on the international stage.
“To the fans, we cannot claim complete sporting satisfaction, but we can proudly say that we honoured the colours of Ghana and restored respect and credibility to the Black Stars on football’s greatest stage.”
