Carlos Queiroz turns down Wydad as he targets historic sixth World Cup

Carlos Queiroz has rejected the possibility of taking charge of Wydad after the Moroccan club contacted his representative, with the Portuguese coach prioritising an international management role and a potential record sixth World Cup appearance.

Queiroz is currently without a contract after parting company with Ghana by mutual consent. The decision followed an unsatisfactory start to the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

The former Ghana manager has also been in serious discussions with the Bahrain Football Association over the national team’s head coach position for the 2027 Asian Cup, which will take place next January. Those talks began after Bahrain dismissed Croatian coach Dragan Talajic.

Queiroz is not the only candidate being considered by the Bahrain Football Association. Reports indicate that Bosnian coach Vladimir Petkovic and Spaniard Felix Sanchez are also among the options.

Reports in Morocco said in recent days that Wydad had identified Queiroz as one of the possible successors to compatriot Sergio Pablo Brito. However, information obtained by Kooora indicates that the club had not made serious moves until the past few hours.

Tadeo Martins, Queiroz’s agent, confirmed Wydad’s interest in comments to Kooora on Wednesday.

“Wydad are interested in signing Queiroz, but the coach is looking to participate in the World Cup for the sixth time in his career and become the first manager to appear in six different World Cup editions,” Martins said.

“For that reason, managing a national team is his priority at this stage of his career,” he added.

Queiroz is currently one of only two coaches to have appeared at five World Cups, alongside Serbian manager Bora Milutinovic.

The Portuguese coach led his country at the 2010 World Cup before taking charge of Iran at the 2014, 2018 and 2022 tournaments. He completed the sequence with Ghana at the 2026 World Cup.

If Queiroz leads another national team at the 2030 World Cup, which is scheduled to be hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, he would set an unprecedented record by becoming the first coach to appear at six editions of the tournament.