Alexander Djiku of Ghana (L) and Jordan Ayew of Ghana (R) reacts after the friendly soccer match between Germany and Ghana in Stuttgart, Germany, 30 March 2026. EPA/ANNA SZILAGYI
Friday Apr 24, 2026. 13:00
New Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz doesn’t just want to make an impact at the 2026 World Cup, he aims to nurture the next generation to become champions.
Queiroz was unveiled as Otto Addo’s successor on Thursday and spoke to the press for the first time since the Ghana Football Association (GFA) chose him to oversee the national team’s campaign in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
The Portuguese tactician has a wealth of experience at the global showpiece after guiding his country to the round of 16 in 2010, while featuring with Iran at the 2014, 2018 and 2022 editions.
Queiroz has signed a four-month contract with the GFA, but is prepared to stay on for longer should his short tenure prove a success, with the Black Stars looking to progress beyond the group stages for the first time since 2010 when they reached the quarter-finals.
“It is my belief, and this is what I believe in all national teams that I work with – Portugal, South Africa, Egypt, Qatar – the duty of a national team coach is to have their hands in the present and their eyes in the future,” the 73-year-old said in the press conference in Accra.
“So, I want to say it is the duty of a national team programme. It is not only to manage my way to get the best results in the present, but also to create a heritage, a dynasty, a dynasty of players that after the World Cup in the United States, we know which generation will come in 2028, 2030, 2032.
“At this moment, I have to put 99.9 per cent of my attention to the results and success of the World Cup. I wish God will give me the blessing to write the best results for the better in the present.
“And therefore, if it happens as I expect, I will be very happy and glad to give my contribution to the state and explain how I believe one national team must guarantee its legacy and its progress.
“I think that this country, as every country you already know in the world, has a huge, enormous potential. This is a country of footballers.
“Ghana is a country of footballers. I believe that the day Ghana will be able to manage the present and the future in this way like I said, this country will not only be a country of footballers, but it will also be a country of champions.”