Carlos Queiroz returns as Ghana head coach two months after stepping down

Carlos Queiroz is back in charge of Ghana. The country's football federation has confirmed the return of the Portuguese coach just two months after he stepped down following the Black Stars' elimination from the World Cup. His immediate mission will be to guide the team back to the Africa Cup of Nations, a competition Ghana failed to qualify for in its most recent edition.

• Queiroz returns as Ghana head coach two months after resigning from the position.
• He led the Black Stars at the World Cup, where they were knocked out by Colombia in the round of 32.
• Ghana did not qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, one of the lowest points in the country's recent football history.
• The next challenge is the Afcon qualification campaign, which starts in September.
• Ghana have been drawn in Group C alongside Ivory Coast, The Gambia and Somalia.

Queiroz makes shock return to the Black Stars bench

The speed of the decision comes as a surprise. Queiroz, 73, took the job just two months before the World Cup began, replacing Otto Addo after heavy defeats against Austria and Germany. The former Manchester United assistant manager guided Ghana past the group stage, and the team bowed out with dignity against Colombia in the round of 32.

A respectable World Cup run amid a dark period for Ghanaian football

Ghana's World Cup campaign cannot be described as a failure. The team was going through one of the toughest spells in its recent history, marked by the humiliation of missing out on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. In that context, reaching the knockout rounds —including a goalless draw with England in the group stage— was more than acceptable for a project built with very little preparation time.

What Ghana's football federation said about Queiroz's return

The Ghana Football Association issued an official statement confirming the agreement with the Portuguese coach. The text highlights Queiroz's "extensive international experience, technical expertise and knowledge of the Black Stars" as strong reasons to lead this new chapter. The federation added that further details on the new mandate and the team's upcoming programme will be announced in due course, as both sides turn their focus to building a successful new phase.

"The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement with Carlos Queiroz for his appointment as Head Coach of the Black Stars for the next phase of the team's programme."

Africa Cup of Nations qualification is Queiroz's main target

Queiroz's immediate challenge will be the Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign, which begins in September. Ghana will push to return to Africa's marquee competition after being absent in 2025, an absence that hurt deeply across the country. The draw has placed the Black Stars in a demanding group: Ivory Coast, The Gambia and Somalia will be their opponents in Group C.

A coach with three World Cups on his resume

Carlos Queiroz begins this new chapter with an international background that is hard to match. Before Ghana, he managed Portugal, Iran and Egypt at World Cups, adapting to three very different footballing realities. Upon his departure after the World Cup, he left a clear message about what he considers essential for Ghanaian football's growth: success must start off the field, by creating the best possible environment to prepare, protect and develop the country's extraordinary football talent.

Frequently asked questions about Carlos Queiroz's return to Ghana