Carlos Queiroz has announced his departure as head coach of Ghana’s Black Stars following the team’s exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, bringing an end to his short-term tenure with the national team.
The veteran Portuguese coach confirmed his decision in an emotional message shared on social media, thanking the Ghana Football Association (GFA), his players and supporters for the opportunity to lead the Black Stars. The GFA is yet to officially confirm his departure.
Reflecting on his time in charge, Queiroz said football, like life, is about learning from every experience.
“You either win or you learn,” he wrote.
“I leave this journey with pride in what we achieved, but also with the healthy dissatisfaction of those who always wanted more. Reaching a higher level should never be the destination—it should be the beginning of even greater ambitions.”
Calls for structural reforms
Queiroz stressed that Ghana’s future success would depend not only on performances on the pitch but also on improvements behind the scenes.
“The future of the Black Stars will not be built only on the pitch. Success must start off the field by creating the best possible environment to prepare, protect and develop Ghana’s extraordinary football talent,” he said.
He thanked the GFA leadership for the opportunity to serve, describing it as an honour and a privilege.
“To my President and Board, thank you for the opportunity to serve the Ghana National Football Team. It was an honour and privilege to serve the country and the Black Stars.”
The former Portugal, Iran and Egypt coach also praised his players and technical staff for their commitment and professionalism throughout the campaign.
World Cup campaign
Queiroz was appointed following the departure of Otto Addo on a short-term contract that covered the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams had earlier explained that the agreement was limited to the tournament, with any extension dependent on the team’s performance.
Before his arrival, Ghana had endured a difficult run, losing four consecutive matches and missing qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
At the World Cup, the Black Stars showed significant defensive improvement, defeating Panama 1-0, drawing goalless with England and narrowly losing 2-1 to Croatia. Those results saw Ghana qualify for the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams.
However, the Black Stars’ campaign ended with a 1-0 defeat to Colombia in the Round of 32.
Legacy and next steps
Although Ghana’s World Cup journey ended earlier than hoped, Queiroz said he was proud to have restored belief and competitiveness to the national team.
“To the fans, we cannot claim complete sporting satisfaction, but we can proudly say that we honoured the colours of Ghana and restored respect and credibility to the Black Stars on football’s greatest stage.”
He concluded his farewell message by expressing optimism for the future.
“Thank you, Ghana. The journey starts now. To the future.”
The GFA is expected to begin the search for a new head coach as it prepares the Black Stars for upcoming international competitions and the next phase of the team’s rebuilding process.
