Queiroz Steps Down As Ghana Coach Following World Cup Exit
The Ghana Football Association will begin searching for a new head coach after Carlos Queiroz announced his departure from the Black Stars following their Round of 32 exit at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The veteran Portuguese tactician took over the four-time African champions on a short-term contract in April specifically to lead their global campaign.
However, Colombia brought his brief tenure to an abrupt end with a clinical victory in Kansas City, eliminating Ghana from the tournament.
How did Carlos Queiroz react to Ghana’s exit?
Following the Black Stars’ tournament departure, the 73-year-old former Bafana Bafana coach took to Facebook to express his gratitude to the Ghana Football Association (GFA), his technical team, the players, and the supporters.
“To Ghana, football, like life, teaches us one timeless lesson: you either win or you learn,” Queiroz 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.”
Queiroz roped in long-time trusted lieutenant Roger de Sa as his assistant, teaming up on the global stage. De Sa was also his assistant when Queiroz led Egypt to the 2021 AFCON final and managed Iran at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
He emphasized that sustainable African football success requires structural changes beyond the white lines.
“The future of the Black Stars will not be built only on the pitch,” Queiroz added. “Success must start off the field by creating the best possible environment to prepare, protect, and develop Ghana’s extraordinary football talent.”
What is Carlos Queiroz’s history with South African football?
Queiroz remains a prominent figure in South African football history, having famously guided Bafana Bafana through a successful qualification campaign for the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
However, Safa controversially dismissed him following a quarter-final exit at the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Mali, preventing him from leading the 1996 African champions at the tournament in South Korea and Japan. Jomo Sono ultimately took the reins at the 2002 World Cup instead of Queiroz.
Despite missing out on the ultimate prize in Kansas City, the former Real Madrid and Manchester United assistant coach believes his short stint restored international prestige to Ghanaian football.
“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. “Thank you, Ghana. The journey starts now. To the future.”
