Breaking: Carlos Queiroz Appointed Black Stars Head Coach Ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has confirmed the appointment of veteran Portuguese manager Carlos Queiroz as head coach of the senior national team, the Black Stars, just two months before the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off.

The 73-year-old takes over from Otto Addo, who was dismissed in March following friendly defeats to Austria and Germany. Queiroz begins work immediately to prepare Ghana for the tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, which starts on June 11, 2026. 

“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... Coach Queiroz begins work immediately to prepare the Black Stars for the tournament.” 

Queiroz brings 36 years of coaching experience and will be making his fifth consecutive World Cup appearance. He previously led Iran at the 2014, 2018, and 2022 World Cups, and Portugal at South Africa 2010, where he reached the round of 16. His CV also includes stints with Real Madrid, Sporting Lisbon, South Africa, Colombia, Egypt, Qatar, and Oman, plus a spell as Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant at Manchester United. Crucially for Ghana, he has African experience after leading Egypt to the 2021 AFCON final and a World Cup play-off. 

Queiroz’s first match in charge will be a World Cup warm-up friendly against Mexico at Estadio Cuauhtémoc in Puebla City — his 500th game in the dugout. Ghana have been drawn in Group L alongside England, Croatia, and Panama. The Black Stars open their campaign against Panama on June 17, face England on June 23, and Croatia on June 27. 

Queiroz left his role as Oman coach last month after the side failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. He beat out fellow Portuguese coaches Fernando Santos and Paulo Bento on the GFA’s three-man shortlist. 

The GFA is treating this as a short-term appointment to stabilize the team for the World Cup, with a long-term decision expected after the tournament.