Ghana appoint former Real Madrid boss Carlos Queiroz as new head coach for 2026 FIFA World Cup - 'Not just another job... a mission'
Published 14/04/2026 at 09:38 GMT+1
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Carlos Queiroz has been named the new head coach of Ghana, less than two months before the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The former Manchester United assistant will lead The Black Stars into games against England, Croatia and Panama in this summer's tournament. Queiroz, 73, will be in charge of a team for a fifth consecutive World Cup, becoming just the second manager ever to achieve that feat.
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Ghana have appointed Carlos Queiroz as their head coach, less than two months before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Queiroz replaces Otto Addo, who was dismissed last month following a string of bad results.
The Ghanaian Football Association (GFA) made the announcement of Queiroz’s hiring on Monday night, with the experienced Portuguese leading the nation into this summer’s tournament.
In his first statement as Ghana manager, Queiroz said he feels ”responsibility and humility” as he embarks on this new chapter.
”Football has given me a lifetime of challenges, lessons, and unforgettable journeys, all over the world,” the 73-year-old said in a statement on the GFA website.
”Today, I accept this mission with the same passion and commitment that have guided me throughout my career.
”Ghana is a nation of talent, pride, and footballing soul. I arrive with respect for its history and belief in its future.
”Together, with unity, discipline, and ambition, we will work to honour the expectations of a great football nation. This is not just another job - it is a mission.
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”And I am ready to give everything of my experience and knowledge once again, in service of the game and the happiness of people.”
Queiroz will become the third-oldest coach in World Cup history when he leads Ghana at this summer's tournament, behind South Africa's Hugo Broos and Czechia's Miroslav Koubek, who will both be 74. The present record is held by Otto Rehhagel, who was 71 when leading Greece in 2010.
He will also be just the second head coach ever to take part in five consecutive World Cups, tied with Bora Milutinovic, who led Mexico, Costa Rica, USA, Nigeria and China to World Cups between 1986 and 2002.
Queiroz took charge of Portugal at the World Cup in 2010 before guiding Iran to the following three tournaments.
He also qualified South Africa for the 2002 World Cup but left his role before the competition began.
In what has been a nomadic international coaching career, Queiroz has also managed the national teams of Egypt, Colombia, United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
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Most recently, he was the head coach of Oman but left the role last month after the nation failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
At club level, Queiroz managed Real Madrid for one season and was assistant coach at Manchester United for two spells, working under Sir Alex Ferguson.
During his time at Old Trafford, Queiroz won the Premier League three times, as well as the UEFA Champions League in 2008.
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Queiroz’s first matches in charge of Ghana will be friendlies against Mexico and Wales, on May 22 and June 2, respectively.
He will then lead Ghana into the tournament being played across the United States, Canada and Mexico, where they have been drawn into Group L alongside England, Croatia and Panama.
The Black Stars begin their campaign against Panama on June 17 in Toronto, before facing England in Boston and Croatia in Philadelphia.
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