The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has reached an agreement with Carlos Queiroz for the Portuguese coach to return as head coach of the Black Stars, ending weeks of uncertainty over his future following Ghana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign.
The GFA confirmed on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, that Queiroz will take charge of the Black Stars for the next phase of the national team’s programme, with his new mandate beginning in the upcoming international window.
The agreement was reached following discussions between the GFA and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, according to the association.
The GFA said further details of the new mandate and the Black Stars’ programme would be announced in due course. It has not yet publicly disclosed the duration of the new contract, salary, technical-team arrangements or other financial terms.
Why Queiroz initially left
Queiroz’s first stint with the Black Stars ended shortly after the 2026 World Cup because his original contract was a short-term four-month agreement specifically covering Ghana’s preparations for and participation in the tournament.
The 73-year-old was appointed in April 2026 to replace Otto Addo, just 72 days before the World Cup. His contract expired after the tournament, with reports at the time indicating that an extension was dependent on further negotiations.
According to a report published after the World Cup, Queiroz’s initial agreement contained a performance-based extension provision that would have been triggered if Ghana reached the quarter-finals.
The Black Stars progressed from their group but were eliminated in the Round of 32 by Colombia, who won 1-0. As a result, the reported extension clause was not activated.
Queiroz subsequently confirmed his departure following the Colombia defeat, thanking the GFA, players, staff and supporters and saying it had been an honour to serve Ghana. FIFA reported that his final match was the 1-0 defeat to Colombia.
Although Queiroz left under the terms of his original short-term arrangement, the GFA moved to retain him after assessing his performance at the World Cup.
GFA Communications Director Henry Asante Twum said in August that the Executive Council had unanimously backed Queiroz to continue as head coach after reviewing his performance.
The coach’s future, however, became uncertain as negotiations over a longer-term agreement dragged on. The GFA even acknowledged that it was speaking to other coaches while considering its options.
AFCON qualification first test
Ghana have been drawn in Group C alongside Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia and Somalia.
The Black Stars begin their qualifying campaign away to Côte d’Ivoire before hosting The Gambia. They will then face Somalia at home and away respectively, before completing the group stage against Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia.
The qualification window begins between September 21 and October 6, 2026, with the next rounds scheduled for November 9-17, 2026 and March 22-30, 2027. Two teams from each qualifying group will advance to the AFCON finals.
Ghana’s return to the continental competition is particularly important after the Black Stars failed to qualify for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
The 2027 tournament will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Ghana turns to Queiroz again
Queiroz’s return gives the Black Stars continuity ahead of a crucial period in Ghanaian football.
Under his first spell, Ghana reached the knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup despite the Portuguese coach having only a short preparation period with the team.
The Black Stars opened the tournament with a 1-0 victory over Panama, drew 0-0 with England and lost 2-1 to Croatia. The results saw Ghana advance from the group as one of the best third-placed teams before Colombia ended the campaign in the Round of 32.
It was Ghana’s first World Cup knockout-stage appearance since the 2010 tournament.