Carlos Queiroz has stepped down as head coach of the Ghana national team, ending an 11-week spell in charge of the Black Stars.
The 73-year-old Portuguese trainer confirmed his departure days after Ghana were eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the round-of-32 stage, following a 1-0 defeat to Colombia at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on Friday night.
Queiroz announced his decision in a lengthy farewell message to Ghanaians, striking a tone that balanced pride with what he called "healthy dissatisfaction."
"Football, like life, teaches us one timeless lesson: you either win, or you learn. I leave this journey with pride in what we achieved, but also with the healthy dissatisfaction of those who always wanted more. Reaching a higher level should never be the destination; it should be the beginning of even greater ambitions."
The Portuguese trainer was careful to point the country beyond the pitch as he signed off, framing the Black Stars’ next chapter as one that begins in the corridors of the Ghana Football Association as much as in the dressing room.
"The future of the Black Stars will not be built only on the pitch. Black Stars success must start off the field, by creating the best possible environment to prepare, protect and develop Ghana’s extraordinary football talent."
He reserved his most emotional lines for the supporters, thousands of whom followed the team across Toronto, Foxboro, Philadelphia and Kansas City over the past three weeks.
"To the fans, we cannot claim complete sporting satisfaction, but we can proudly say that we honoured the colours of Ghana and restored respect and credibility to the Black Stars on football’s greatest stage. Thank you, Ghana. The journey starts now. To the future."
Queiroz was appointed on April 13th, just two months before the tournament kicked off, on an initial four-month contract that included an option to extend by two years if Ghana reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
That trigger was not activated after Jhon Arias’ 14th-minute strike in Kansas City ended the Black Stars’ tournament in the last 32.
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Under the Portuguese, Ghana were drawn in Group L alongside England, Croatia and Panama and progressed to the knockout stage as one of the eight best third-placed teams.
He took charge of five games in total, winning one, drawing two and losing two: a 1-1 draw with Wales in their only pre-tournament friendly in Cardiff, a 1-0 win over Panama in Toronto, a 0-0 draw with England in Foxboro, a 2-1 loss to Croatia in Philadelphia, and Friday’s defeat to Colombia.
The Ghana Football Association is now expected to step up its search for a new head coach ahead of the resumption of competitive action. The Black Stars face Ivory Coast in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in September.
