By Our Correspondent

National News – Ghana Football Association has appointed veteran Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz as head coach of the Black Stars ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The decision was announced on Monday by the association’s Executive Council in collaboration with key stakeholders.

Queiroz will immediately take charge of preparations for the tournament, scheduled to be hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States starting June 11, 2026.

The 73-year-old coach brings extensive experience, having managed four World Cup tournaments.

He previously led South Africa to qualification for the 2002 edition, guided Portugal to the knockout stage in 2010, and handled Iran during the 2014 and 2018 competitions.

Across these tournaments, Queiroz recorded three wins, four draws, and six defeats, highlighting his exposure at the highest level of international football.

According to the GFA, Queiroz’s diverse coaching résumé spans multiple countries, including Egypt, Oman, Japan, and Qatar.

His appointment is seen as a strategic move to rebuild the Black Stars following recent struggles.

Ghana parted ways with former coach Otto Addo on March 31 after a series of disappointing results, including defeats to Germany and Austria in friendly matches and failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Ghana’s World Cup campaign is set to begin against Panama on June 17, 2026, in Toronto.

The team will also face England and Croatia in what analysts describe as a challenging group stage.

With players like Mohammed Kudus and Antoine Semenyo expected to play key roles, Queiroz is tasked with restoring confidence and competitiveness within the squad.

His immediate focus will be on tactical restructuring, squad cohesion, and preparing the team to compete strongly on the global stage.