New Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz promises to build a fearless Black Stars

Carlos Queiroz has vowed to lead Ghana national team with courage and ambition at the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, insisting his side will play to win despite limited preparation time.

The Ghana Football Association unveiled the experienced coach just 50 days before the tournament, having secured his services on a four-month contract earlier in April, with the option of an extension.

Speaking at his first press conference upon arrival, the 73-year-old described the role as the ultimate challenge of his long managerial career.

“Coaching the national team is the biggest test of my career,” he said, reflecting on more than four decades in football.

Selection Under Pressure

Concerns have already emerged among fans regarding the short window available to assess players and finalize the squad. However, Queiroz expressed confidence in his ability to navigate the challenge using his experience.

He will be supported by five members of his backroom staff, who will work alongside local coaches to prepare the team for the global stage, set to be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Queiroz made it clear that merit will be the only selection criterion.

“No one owns this team’s jersey. The team belongs to everyone,” he said.

“Our mission is to give a fair chance to all players. Whoever deserves it will be there, and we will open the door to everyone who proves their worth.”

He added that players must show readiness, fitness, enthusiasm, and experience, while consistently performing at club level.

Managing Big Personalities

Questions have also been raised about how the veteran coach will handle the squad’s high-profile players, but Queiroz dismissed any concerns about egos.

“I don’t see arrogance as a problem; rather, we need players with strong personalities and self-confidence. My job is to employ these personalities to serve the team,” he indicated.

Despite the pressure and time constraints, he remained confident in his ability to build a competitive squad.

“I am a coach accustomed to winning, and we will strive to select the best possible team,” Queiroz added.

Ambition and Reality

Ghana’s recent World Cup history has been mixed, with an early exit at the 2022 FIFA World Cup still fresh in memory. The nation’s best performance remains the quarter-final run at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, where they were eliminated by Uruguay national team on penalties.

Queiroz acknowledged the scrutiny but remained focused on progress.

“We will build a strong team that fights for the fans and the people. All teams play to win, and we have the same goal. We must start with confidence and fight, and in this way we will achieve results,” the coach shared.

He emphasised a step-by-step approach to the tournament, starting with Ghana’s opening match against Panama before facing England and Croatia in the group stage.

“We will focus first on the Panama match, then move on to the second match, and then the third. We will put on a strong performance in the World Cup,” he shared.

Guided by Mandela’s Philosophy

Queiroz also revealed the personal philosophy that continues to shape his approach to coaching, drawing inspiration from Nelson Mandela.

“I have never been afraid to take risks in my life, and I know there is always a new opportunity to try,” he said.

“Mandela taught me that we either win or we learn, and this has been my philosophy for years.”

Building with Limited Time

The coach admitted that time constraints remain a major challenge, especially in monitoring both locally based and foreign players, as well as dealing with injuries within the squad.

Still, he outlined a structured plan to overcome these limitations.

“I don’t have enough time to follow everyone, so we divided the work within the technical staff; one team to follow the players in Europe, and another to follow the local players, and the data will be collected in a database,” the coach noted.

He concluded by emphasising preparation through observation and evaluation.

“After that, we will monitor the players in preparatory matches before selecting the final squad,” he said.

With the clock ticking, Queiroz is betting on experience, belief, and bold decision-making to shape Ghana’s World Cup journey.