Ghana's national football team, the Black Stars, will be without head coach Carlos Queiroz following a mutual decision to part ways, announced by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) on October 1, 2026. This development comes on the heels of a disappointing 2-4 home defeat to The Gambia in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. The GFA stated that the decision was made in a spirit of mutual respect.
The Black Stars are currently at the bottom of Group C without a point from two matches, having earlier lost 2-0 to Côte d’Ivoire in their opening qualifier. The team has conceded six goals in their two matches, raising concerns about their defensive capabilities. Queiroz, 73, was appointed in April as a short-term replacement for Otto Addo, with an initial four-month contract covering Ghana’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The GFA's decision to part ways with Queiroz was described as "not an easy decision," but considered the most appropriate course of action under the present circumstances. Queiroz acknowledged that the team’s recent results contributed to the decision, stating that despite efforts, the necessary conditions were not fully established. He expressed his commitment to helping build a stronger future for the Black Stars and supporting the development of the country’s talent.
Queiroz pointed to the absence of several players and changes to the squad between matches as factors that affected the team’s performance against The Gambia. He apologized to the supporters for the loss and emphasized the need for support and protection for the players. In his farewell message, Queiroz urged Ghanaians to “believe in these players” and “protect them,” reiterating that “Ghana comes first. The Black Stars come first. Ghanaian football comes first.”
The departure of Queiroz leaves the Black Stars without a permanent head coach ahead of the next AFCON qualifying window. Ghana have been drawn in Group C with Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, and Somalia, and are seeking to return to the AFCON after missing the previous edition in Morocco. The GFA is yet to announce whether an interim coach will be appointed or when a permanent replacement for Queiroz will be named.
During his time with the Black Stars, Queiroz led the team in their matches against Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia, losing both games. Prior to his appointment as head coach, Queiroz had managed the team during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the Black Stars reached the Round of 32 before losing 1-0 to Colombia. His future became uncertain after the tournament, but the GFA later agreed to have him lead the team into the next phase of its programme.
Queiroz thanked the GFA President, his technical staff, and the players for their support during his tenure. The GFA announced the decision to part ways with Queiroz in a statement issued by its Communications Department, emphasizing the mutual respect with which the decision was made. The search for a new head coach is expected to begin immediately as the Black Stars prepare for their next AFCON qualifying matches.
Key points
- The Black Stars are without a head coach following Carlos Queiroz's departure.
- Ghana lost to The Gambia 2-4 in their AFCON qualifier.
- Queiroz cited the absence of players and team changes as factors affecting performance.
