Carlos Queiroz labelled leading Ghana “the biggest challenge of my career” after being unveiled as the new coach of the Black Stars.
Queiroz will guide Ghana into the 2026 World Cup after being appointed 10 days ago, marking his 11th spell in international management.
Ghana have been drawn in Group L for the expanded 48-team World Cup, landing tough assignments against England, Croatia and Panama.
The Black Stars will be under pressure to perform after failing to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and have not gone beyond the group stage since their famous run to the quarter-finals in 2010.
Queiroz: Ghana can beat anyone in the world
Queiroz has a poor track record in that regard. He reached the second round with Portugal in that same tournament, but never managed to lead Iran past the group phase in three World Cup appearances at the helm.
But with eight of the 12 third-placed teams progressing from the group stage, the odds of reaching the knockouts are improved for Ghana, and Queiroz is clear about what it will take for the Black Stars to enjoy a successful tournament.
“After eight national teams, this is the biggest challenge of my career,” Queiroz said at his introductory press conference. “Because when you work for Ghana, they expect nothing different than win, win, win.
“If we play together, with the right mentality, we can beat any opponent in the world. There is only one medicine in football, to win.
“My job is to bring the right players to build the right team. A group of talented players is not always a great team.”
“The team is the most important player. Nobody owns the national team shirt, it must be earned.”
But Queiroz is not thinking strictly about Ghana’s fortunes in North America this summer.
“This is a country of footballers,” Queiroz added. “My duty is to manage the present but also build the future, a generation that can make Ghana not just a country of footballers, but a country of champions.”
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