The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has confirmed that Carlos Queiroz has parted ways with the Black Stars by mutual agreement, just 48 hours after Ghana's humiliating 4-2 home defeat to The Gambia. This defeat left Ghana bottom of their AFCON qualifying group with zero points from two matches. The GFA announced the decision on October 1, 2026, stating that the talks with Queiroz were held in a spirit of mutual respect.
The decision to terminate Queiroz's service agreement as head coach comes after a disastrous result for Ghana, who had led 2-0 before collapsing at the Accra Sports Stadium. Ivory Coast and The Gambia now sit joint-top of Group C with six points each, putting significant pressure on the Black Stars' qualification hopes early in the campaign. According to reports, Queiroz's second spell in charge of the Black Stars has ended abruptly.
In a statement released through GFA Communications, Queiroz said that ending the arrangement was the most appropriate course of action given the present circumstances, with the interests of Ghana and Ghanaian football placed above all else. He described it as an honour to have served the Black Stars and thanked GFA president Kurt Okraku for the trust placed in him. Queiroz also acknowledged that, despite the commitment of his technical team, the conditions he considered necessary were not fully established during his time in charge.
The Portuguese coach paid tribute to the players, urging Ghanaians to continue believing in, protecting and supporting them, and said the talent exists within the current squad to achieve success for the country given the right environment. He thanked Ghanaian supporters for their passion and warmth during his stay, closing his statement with the words "Ghana comes first... To the Future." The GFA has not announced a replacement for Queiroz, nor has it given a timeline for appointing a new head coach.
The fallout from the defeat has now reached Parliament, with Ernest Henry Norgbey, chairman of Parliament's Select Committee on Sports, stating that the committee intends to summon both the GFA and the Sports Minister to explain the Black Stars' recent struggles. Public anger has also been directed at the GFA leadership itself, with musician and public figure Criss Waddle among several voices calling for GFA president Kurt Okraku to step down following the loss to The Gambia.
The defeat to The Gambia came just days after The Gambia's coach downplayed concerns over Ghana's injury list ahead of the Accra qualifier. Ghana's capitulation from a 2-0 lead has intensified scrutiny of both the technical bench and the administration running the national team. The GFA has not given a timeline for appointing a new head coach, leaving the national team's immediate future uncertain as the qualifying campaign resumes.
Ghana's AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign continues with the team needing to recover points in a group now led jointly by Ivory Coast and The Gambia. For Ghanaian football followers, the coaching change comes at a critical juncture: with zero points from two games, the Black Stars face an uphill climb to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, a tournament the country has not won since 1982. The instability at the technical level, paired with mounting political pressure on the GFA, adds to the uncertainty.
Key points
- Carlos Queiroz has parted ways with the Black Stars by mutual agreement with the GFA.
- The decision comes after Ghana's humiliating 4-2 home defeat to The Gambia.
- Parliament's Sports Committee intends to summon the GFA and Sports Minister to explain the Black Stars' recent struggles.
