Ghana must embrace discipline and sacrifice to succeed at 2026 World Cup – Carlos Queiroz

Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has delivered a firm message to players, officials and supporters ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting that talent alone will not be enough for success.

The Portuguese tactician, speaking with characteristic directness, stressed that Ghana must build a culture defined by discipline, sacrifice and collective responsibility if it is to compete with the world’s elite at the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

He warned that individual ambition must never override the national objective as the team prepares for a crucial rebuilding phase.

Speaking on the Ghana Football Association’s Beyond The Whistle podcast, the former Portugal, Iran and Egypt coach outlined his expectations for total commitment within the squad.

“Nobody will be above the team,” Queiroz declared firmly. “Everybody must play with only one thing in mind — Ghana, the pride of the nation and the happiness of the people.”

He added that success at global level requires sacrifices beyond rhetoric. “It’s easy to say, ‘I want to win the World Cup,’ just like many people want to buy a private jet,” Queiroz said. “But you have to be ready to pay the price to achieve those dreams.”

The coach also disclosed that he has intensified efforts to deepen his understanding of domestic football through a structured scouting programme developed in collaboration with the Ghana Football Association.

The initiative has enabled closer assessment of home-based players while offering insight into the broader structure of the local game. According to Queiroz, the exercise is designed to accelerate talent identification and ensure no potential Black Stars prospect is overlooked ahead of the global tournament in North America.

Queiroz stressed that restoring unity within the Black Stars setup remains central to his rebuilding plan, noting that trust between players, staff and supporters must be strengthened after periods of inconsistency. He emphasised that modern football success depends on meticulous preparation across every department of performance.

“We have to put the right preparation in place — training, diet, nutrition, physios, fitness, and the details of set pieces.”

The Portuguese coach brings extensive international experience having managed at multiple FIFA World Cup tournaments and other elite national teams.

His approach is built on decades of high-performance management within demanding football environments. He believes Ghana can rebuild credibility and become competitive again if standards are consistently upheld through collective discipline and professionalism.

The focus now is on turning principles into performance as preparations continue towards the 2026 World Cup.