Carlos Queiroz said that leading the Black Stars of Ghana at the 2026 World Cup will be “the biggest challenge” of his career.
The appointment of Queiroz, who managed Iran at the 2022 World Cup and had a stint with Real Madrid, has generated excitement among Ghanaian fans, highlighting the expectations surrounding a team aiming to reclaim its global stature.
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“It is an honour and a privilege to be here,” Queiroz said at his unveiling in Accra on Thursday.
“After eight national teams, this is the biggest challenge of my career… because when you work for Ghana, they expect nothing different than win, win, win.”
Pressure to Deliver on the Big Stage
Ghana have qualified for five World Cups, including the 2026 edition, but inconsistent recent performances have increased pressure on the new coach to deliver on the biggest stage.
Queiroz, whose managerial résumé includes spells with Portugal, Iran, Egypt and Colombia, said his immediate focus is to instil a winning mentality and build team cohesion.
“If we play together, with the right mentality, we can beat any opponent in the world,” he said. “There is only one medicine in football, winning.”
Building a Competitive Team
With limited time before Ghana’s opening game against Panama on June 17, the 73-year-old acknowledged the scale of the task but expressed confidence in the squad’s talent.
“My job is to bring the right players to build the right team,” he added. “A group of talented players is not always a great team. The team is the most important player. Nobody owns the national team shirt; it must be earned.”
Long-Term Vision Beyond 2026
Beyond the tournament, the former assistant to Alex Ferguson at Manchester United outlined a long-term vision to develop a sustainable pipeline of talent.
“This is a country of footballers,” Queiroz said. “My duty is to manage the present but also build the future, a generation that can make Ghana not just a country of footballers but a country of champions.”
Cautious Approach
Despite expectations of matching or surpassing Ghana’s 2010 quarter-final run, Queiroz remained cautious.
“I promise hard work. We go step by step, first game, then second, then third.”
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