Ghana reappoints Carlos Queiroz to lead Black Stars on interim basis

Carlos Queiroz is back. The Ghana Football Association confirmed on September 2, 2026 that it has reappointed the veteran Portuguese coach as head coach of the Black Stars on an interim basis, just two months after he walked away from the role following Ghana’s elimination at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

From exit to return

Queiroz initially resigned in early July 2026 after Ghana finished third in Group L at the World Cup and exited in the Round of 32. During the tournament, Ghana managed a win against Panama, a draw with England, and a loss to Croatia. Reaching the knockout stage was Ghana’s deepest run at a World Cup since 2010, when the Black Stars famously reached the quarterfinals before losing to Uruguay on penalties.

His reappointment is framed as interim, meaning the association has not committed to a long-term contract. The immediate mandate is to oversee the September-October 2026 international window, with Ghana’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign the priority.

What’s immediately at stake

Ghana’s next two fixtures are anything but soft warmups. The Black Stars face Ivory Coast away on September 23-24, 2026, before hosting The Gambia at home.

The GFA cited two specific factors in its decision: Queiroz’s international experience and his existing familiarity with the current squad. Queiroz took over the management of Ghana’s Black Stars in April 2026 after the dismissal of Otto Addo due to poor outcomes in friendly matches, on an initial short-term contract devised to prepare the team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The broader picture for Ghanaian football

Queiroz’s career includes stints as assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, multiple head coaching roles across Iran, Colombia, Egypt, and others, and a long association with Portugal’s national team setup. The GFA had received numerous applications for the coaching position before selecting Queiroz based on his proven track record in international football.

Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.