The appointment of Carlos Queiroz as head coach of the Ghana national football team has sparked renewed debate about whether the experienced Portuguese tactician can revive the country’s fading football reputation ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

It has been seven years since Ghana progressed beyond the group stage of a major international tournament, a period marked by disappointing performances at the Africa Cup of Nations and struggles on the global stage.

The most recent setback came when the Black Stars failed to qualify for the 2025 AFCON, a shock result for one of Africa’s most decorated football nations. However, Ghana managed to regain some pride by securing a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, offering fans a fresh reason for optimism.

Despite the qualification, confidence among supporters remains fragile. Heavy defeats to the Austria national football team and the Germany national football team during the March international window ultimately led to the dismissal of former coach Otto Addo.

After two weeks of searching, the Ghana Football Association turned to Queiroz, a coach widely respected for his experience at top clubs such as Real Madrid and Manchester United, where he worked alongside legendary manager Alex Ferguson.

A Nation with a Proud Football Legacy

Ghana remains one of Africa’s most successful football nations, having won the Africa Cup of Nations four times and appearing at the World Cup on multiple occasions. The country famously reached the quarter-finals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the best performance in its history and one that came agonisingly close to making Ghana the first African nation to reach the semi-finals.

The Black Stars also reached the AFCON finals in 2010 and 2015, but both campaigns ended in heartbreak as the team failed to secure another continental title.

Since then, the glory days have gradually faded, leaving many fans longing for a return to the dominance that once defined Ghanaian football.

Can Queiroz Deliver a Turnaround?

Queiroz arrives with a reputation for building disciplined, well-organised teams. His extensive experience in international football, including multiple World Cup campaigns, could prove crucial as Ghana prepares for another global tournament.

However, restoring Ghana’s football pride may require more than tactical knowledge. It will also demand unity within the squad, belief among supporters, and strong leadership from the football authorities.

Ghana possesses a talented pool of players capable of competing at the highest level. In the short term, supporters will hope to see a competitive and respectable performance at the 2026 World Cup. In the long run, however, the expectations are much higher — Ghanaians want trophies and a return to the country’s footballing glory.

In his first message to fans, Queiroz expressed his determination to rise to the challenge.

“I am ready to give everything of my experience and knowledge once again, in service of the game and the happiness of people.”

Whether his appointment marks the beginning of a new era or simply another chapter in Ghana’s ongoing rebuilding process remains to be seen. For now, the hopes of a football-loving nation rest on the shoulders of a seasoned coach tasked with restoring belief in the Black Stars.

After Friday’s draw in Washington, Ghana was placed in a difficult group for the 2026 FIFA World Cup together with England, Croatia, and Panama.

When the Black Stars return to the international scene next summer, they will have a good idea of what lies ahead.

Ghana was always going to encounter high-level resistance after being placed in Pot 4 prior to the ceremony. Croatia, who were World Cup finalists in 2018 and semi-finalists in 2022, bring skill and tournament experience to the field.

England arrive as one of the top-ranked sides in the world, stacked with Premier League talent and expectations of going deep into the tournament. Panama complete the group, a hardworking CONCACAF side with strong organisation and a growing World Cup identity.

This will be Ghana’s fifth appearance at the World Cup. Their debut campaign in 2006 saw them progress from a group that included Italy, the Czech Republic and the United States. Four years later, they advanced again from another difficult pool featuring Germany, Australia and Serbia before falling agonisingly short of a historic semi-final place.

After group-stage exits in both 2014 and 2022, the current squad head to North America with a youthful and ambitious outlook. Mohammed Kudus, Jordan Ayew and Thomas Partey form the experienced core, supported by rising talents eager to make their mark against elite opposition.

With venues and kick-off times to be confirmed in Saturday’s schedule announcement, preparations will now accelerate. Ghana have handled tough groups before, and the expanded round of 32 offers a clear target.

Ghana finds itself in Pot 4 ahead of the 2026 World Cup draw, a position that reflects their current standing in global football.

The Ghana Black Stars qualified strongly for the tournament, yet their overall ranking leaves them among the lower-seeded nations heading into Friday’s ceremony in Washington.

FIFA ranking and recent performance

Ghana sit well outside the world’s leading teams in the latest FIFA rankings, and seeding for the draw is decided strictly by those standings. While qualification results added some ranking points, progress has not been enough to lift Ghana closer to the top nations. Their position is a result of performance over a longer period, not just a single qualifying campaign.

Qualification helped, but not enough for a higher pot

The Black Stars lost only once in qualifying, sealing their fifth World Cup appearance. That consistency restored confidence after missing the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. However, countries with stronger records in previous competitions and against tougher opposition have remained ahead of Ghana in the rankings. The ladder is competitive, and every small slip carries consequences.

What Pot 4 means for Ghana

Being in the lowest pot guarantees that Ghana will face a top team from Pot 1, either a co-host nation or one of the world’s strongest sides. They will avoid another African opponent in the group due to confederation rules, but strong challengers from Europe, South America and Asia remain likely. The seeding increases the need for fast adaptation once the group is revealed.

Seeding does not define destiny

Pot 4 status highlights the scale of the task, but does not limit Ghana’s potential. A young squad with talent and energy can still compete with higher-ranked opposition, particularly in a format that allows third-placed teams to reach the knockout stage.

The Black Stars enter the draw as underdogs, but their history shows that seeding does not decide their fate. In 2006, Ghana were placed in a daunting group with Italy, the United States and the Czech Republic, yet advanced with memorable victories. Four years later, they progressed again from another demanding group against Germany, Australia and Serbia.

Those campaigns remain reminders that Ghana have often thrived when the odds looked steep. The opportunity to rise above expectations begins the moment the groups are confirmed on Friday.

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) and the Ghana Football Association (GFA) have formed a new strategic alliance aimed at enhancing coach development, sharing best practices, and exploring future collaborative opportunities in football between the two countries.

As part of this partnership, Ghanaian coaches will gain access to the FAW’s esteemed coach education system. A group of promising coaches selected through the Ghana national program will travel to Wales in 2026 to embark on their development journey, contributing to the sustained growth of football in Ghana.

A senior delegation from the GFA, headed by President Kurt Okraku, recently visited the FAW’s headquarters in Hensol to meet with FAW CEO Noel Mooney and Chief Football Officer Dr. David Adams. The discussions centered on mutually beneficial areas, including potential youth and senior international matches between Cymru and Ghana, who have recently secured a spot in the FIFA World Cup 2026.

FAW CEO Noel Mooney expressed: “We are thrilled to forge this partnership with the Ghana Football Association. Collaborative efforts like this offer valuable chances to exchange ideas and support the ongoing advancement of football globally.”

FAW Chief Football Officer Dr. David Adams remarked: “This partnership demonstrates the FAW’s increasing prominence on the international stage. It will provide our young male and female players the opportunity to experience football outside of Europe, introducing diversity and challenge as we work towards consistent qualification for major tournaments. Simultaneously, it allows us to impart knowledge to a successful African footballing nation and learn from their strategies.”

GFA President Kurt Okraku was equally enthusiastic about the opportunities this strategic partnership would present, stating: “This partnership signifies another crucial milestone in our quest to create a stronger, smarter, and more globally integrated Ghanaian football scene. We are excited to deepen our ties with the Football Association of Wales, an organization renowned for its dedication to excellence in coach education.

The chance for our skilled coaches to benefit from this environment will have a direct positive impact on player development in our country and ultimately strengthen our national teams at all levels.”

The conversations held between the GFA and the FAW reflect a shared conviction that football flourishes when associations learn from one another, share ideas, and provide players the opportunity to experience different playing styles. Both associations concurred that this collaboration was timely and would benefit both sides, thereby enriching the football cultures in Ghana and Wales.

After giving up a thrilling late equalizer in their 1-1 draw with Chad in Thursday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match, Ghana had a miserable afternoon in N’Djamena.

The Black Stars’ attempts to secure early qualification for the world championship are hampered by the outcome.

The breakthrough occurred in the 17th minute when Jordan Ayew scored his sixth goal of the season, continuing his impressive scoring streak. Mohammed Kudus, whose flare and inventiveness were evident throughout, moved past his right-wing marker before putting in a low cross.

READ ALSO: Spokesperson of the Ayew family blasts Otto Addo after latest comments on André Ayew

Otto Addo’s team gained an early lead thanks to Ayew’s deft movement, which made it easy for him to slot home.

Ghana had multiple opportunities to increase their advantage and appeared to be the superior team for extended periods of time.

Under the leadership of recently hired coach Raoul Savoy, Chad maintained their composure despite going behind.

They maintained their faith despite having a reorganized team as opposed to the one that was crushed 5-0 in Accra.

In the 89th minute, Young Africans SC striker Ecua Celestin’s flash of genius proved that perseverance was worthwhile.

He leveled the score and set off wild scenes inside the Stade Olympique Marechal Idriss Deby Itno by picking the ball just beyond the area and launching a precise strike that soared past Benjamin Asare.

Ghana 1-1 Chad; Full highlight

Ghana 4-0 Trinidad and Tobago: With a decisive victory, the Black Stars secure third place in the Unity Cup.

Ghana secured third place in the 2025 Unity Cup on Saturday after easily defeating Trinidad and Tobago 4-0.

A few minutes into the afternoon’s action, captain Jordan Ayew opened the score with a curling attempt from outside the box, inspiring a very inexperienced Black Stars team.

READ ALSO: Black Stars coach Otto Addo awaits unpaid salaries

Six minutes later, the Leicester City forward laid the ball off for Mohammed Fuseini to rifle in a third of the game before halftime, after which defender Razak Simpson headed home the corner.

Ayew, who had several other chances throughout his hour-long appearance, was in the area again just prior to his second-half withdrawal but this time wasn’t needed as Lawrence Agyekum’s effort from a tight angle squeezed through the legs of Jabari St Hillaire, taking a deflection off the Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper on its way into the net.

Simpson and Fuseini both scored their first goals for the Ghana Black Stars; the former made up for his own goal against Nigeria in the middle of the week, while the latter made sure his complete international debut went as smoothly as it could have.