By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Caption: Carlos Queiroz has been to four World Cups and will be making his fifth appearance at the Munidal with Ghana in 2026. Image: Noushad Thekkayil/NurPhoto /Profimedia.
Carlos Queiroz has been appointed as the new Ghana national team head coach with immediate effect ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In a statement, the GFA said: “The Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association, working with all key stakeholders, has appointed Carlos Queiroz as head coach of the senior national team, the Black Stars.”
Queiroz is tasked with leading the four-time African champions into the expanded global tournament set to be hosted in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
“This is not just another job — it is a mission,” Queiroz said in a statement on the GFA website. “And I am ready to give everything of my experience and knowledge once again, in service of the game and the happiness of People.”
The appointment ends a two-week search that began when the GFA dismissed Otto Addo on March 30, hours after a 2-1 friendly loss to Germany in Stuttgart.
GFA president Kurt Okraku disclosed that the association received over 600 applications in the first 24 hours after Addo’s departure, despite never issuing a public call for candidates.
Queiroz brings extensive World Cup experience to the role, having taken charge of national teams at five FIFA World Cup.
Born in Mozambique in 1953, he first rose to prominence by coaching Portugal’s youth teams to consecutive FIFA U20 World Cup titles in 1989 and 1991, developing a generation that included Luis Figo and Rui Costa.
His first African coaching role came with South Africa. Appointed in 2000, he qualified Bafana Bafana for the 2002 FIFA World Cup by topping their CAF qualifying group, including a decisive late win over Mali. He resigned before the tournament after a disagreement with the South African Football Association.