Carlos Queiroz has pledged to lead Ghana to the 2026 World Cup with a winning mentality on Thursday, describing the role as “the biggest challenge” of his career as he was unveiled to a jubilant reception in the capital.
Just a day after arriving, the veteran coach was greeted by drumming, singing fans dressed in Ghana’s red, gold, and green, reflecting the intense expectations surrounding the Ghana national football team as they seek to reassert themselves on the global stage.
“It is an honour and a privilege to be here,” Queiroz told reporters at his first press conference. “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.”
Ghana, a five-time World Cup participant, is aiming to improve on inconsistent recent performances, with memories of their historic 2010 quarter-final run still shaping expectations among fans.
Queiroz, who has previously coached Portugal, Iran, Egypt and Colombia, said his immediate priority would be to build cohesion within the squad and instil discipline.
“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 — to win.”
With limited time before Ghana’s opening match against Panama, the 73-year-old acknowledged the urgency of his task but expressed confidence in the country’s talent pool.
“My job is to bring the right players to build the right team,” he said. “A group of talented players is not always a great team.”
He stressed that selection would be merit-based, insisting no player is guaranteed a place.
“The team is the most important player,” Queiroz said. “Nobody owns the national team shirt — it must be earned.”
The former Real Madrid coach added that his technical staff has begun assessing both domestic and foreign-based players as part of efforts to assemble a competitive squad.
Beyond the immediate tournament, Queiroz outlined ambitions to build a sustainable talent pipeline.
“This is a country of footballers,” he 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.”
Despite calls to match or surpass Ghana’s best-ever World Cup performance, Queiroz avoided bold predictions.
“I promise hard work, not promises,” he said. “We go step by step — first game, then second, then third.”
Quoting Nelson Mandela, he added: “We never lose — we win, or we learn.”
As chants and drums echoed through the venue, the mood in Accra underscored both belief and pressure, with Ghana’s World Cup campaign already gathering momentum long before kick-off.
Ghana Football Association (GFA) appointed Carlos Queiroz as head coach of the national team, the Black Stars, on Monday, 13 April 2026, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The appointment was announced in a social media post, with the Portuguese tactician expected to take up the role immediately as Ghana intensifies preparations for the tournament.
Queiroz brings extensive international experience, having previously managed clubs including Real Madrid and worked with Manchester United, as well as coaching national teams such as the Portugal and Iran national football teams.
He has also overseen teams at multiple FIFA World Cup tournaments, making him one of the most experienced coaches at the international level.
The 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, is scheduled to kick off on 11 June.
Ghana will be aiming to build on past performances as it prepares for the expanded tournament, with Queiroz tasked with guiding the team through qualification and into the competition.
