BY Nadia Ntiamoah
The senior national team, the Black Stars, are set to expand their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a planned fifth international friendly, as the Ghana Football Association intensifies efforts to rebuild the squad under new head coach Carlos Queiroz.
The decision reflects growing concerns within the technical setup that the initially scheduled four warm-up matches may not be enough to properly prepare the team for the global tournament.
The development follows a turbulent transition period for the national team, which recently qualified for the World Cup to be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Despite securing qualification, former coach Otto Addo was relieved of his duties after a pair of heavy defeats in March — a 5–1 loss to Austria in Vienna and a 2–1 defeat to Germany in Stuttgart — results that raised questions about the team’s readiness and tactical direction.
In response, the GFA moved swiftly to appoint Carlos Queiroz on a short-term contract that will run through the World Cup, with a performance-based review expected after the tournament.
The Portuguese tactician arrives with a wealth of international experience, having previously managed national teams such as Iran, Portugal, and Egypt at major competitions.
His appointment signals a shift toward a more structured and disciplined approach as Ghana aims to avoid the inconsistencies that have plagued recent campaigns.
Expanded Preparations Amid Tactical Reset
The confirmed pre-tournament fixtures include high-profile friendlies against Mexico and Wales, scheduled for May and early June respectively.
However, football officials believe an additional fifth match is necessary to give Queiroz sufficient time to assess his squad, experiment with tactical systems, and build cohesion among players drawn from different leagues across the world.
The new coach is expected to arrive in Ghana within the week for his official unveiling. He will be accompanied by five members of his technical team and is scheduled to meet Kofi Adams, the Minister for Sports, as part of formal introductory engagements.
Immediately after his unveiling, Queiroz will take charge of the team’s preparations, beginning with the friendly against Mexico before concluding the build-up phase with a clash against Wales on June 2.
World Cup Group And Stakes
The Black Stars will make their fifth appearance at the FIFA World Cup and have been drawn in a challenging Group L, where they will open their campaign against Panama on June 17.
They will then face England on June 23 before concluding the group stage against Croatia on June 27 — a lineup that presents a stern test for a team still undergoing transition.
A Quest For Redemption
The World Cup journey for Ghana has been marked by both historic highs and recent disappointments.
After reaching the quarterfinals in 2010, the Black Stars have struggled to replicate that success, suffering a group-stage exit in 2014 and again in 2022.
These setbacks have prompted calls for structural reforms and a more coherent long-term strategy within the national team setup.
Carlos Queiroz’s appointment is therefore seen as a corrective step. The veteran coach previously guided South Africa to qualification for the 2002 World Cup, led Portugal to the knockout stage in 2010, and managed Iran at the 2014 and 2018 tournaments — building a reputation for organizing defensively solid and tactically disciplined teams.
