Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has officially launched his European scouting and engagement tour as part of Ghana’s early preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the Black Stars technical team shifting focus to player assessment and squad alignment across the continent of Europe.
The Ghana Football Association confirmed that the newly appointed head coach “has since last Sunday begun an European tour for monitoring and engagements with Black stars players after starting World Cup preparations in Accra.”
The statement further noted that Queiroz, who was unveiled in Accra last week, immediately began work by assessing players of the Black Galaxies before travelling to Europe to continue his mission.
According to the GFA, the Portuguese tactician has already held initial conversations with key figures in the national team setup. The statement revealed that “Coach Carlos has already met and spoken with Captain Jordan Ayew and Thomas Partey,” as he begins shaping leadership structures within the squad.
His ongoing tour is expected to include meetings with additional senior players and extensive match observation across Europe. The federation added that he “will be speaking and meeting with other team leaders and will be watching as many games of Ghanaian players as possible,” hilighting a hands-on approach to squad selection and tactical evaluation.
Queiroz will also use the opportunity to introduce his philosophy early, with the GFA stating that he “will watch and meet a lot more of the players to share his philosophy and discuss his plans for the World Cup after taking charge of the team this month.”
He is being supported by his technical staff throughout the process as they assess both established internationals and emerging talents eligible for selection.
“Coach Carlos Queiroz is being supported by members of his back room staff on his monitoring and engagements with the players, both old and the potential ones.”
GFA statement
Queiroz’s Experience and Ghana’s World Cup Ambition
Carlos Queiroz arrives in Ghana job with one of the most extensive international coaching résumés in world football. The Portuguese coach has previously served as assistant manager at Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson, later taking charge of national teams including Portugal, Iran, Colombia, Egypt, and his native Portugal across different periods.
He has coached in four FIFA World Cup tournaments, earning a reputation for organisation, defensive structure, and tournament management.
His appointment is a short-term project, with Ghana aiming to re-establish itself on the world stage. The federation expressed confidence in his ability to guide the team as Ghana prepares for their fifth World Cup appearance.
The statement further indicated that “Carlos Queiroz will lead Ghana to her 5th World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States in June this year.”
Ghana has been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a group that presents a significant competitive challenge. England and Croatia bring established European pedigree, while Panama offers a physically demanding CONCACAF opposition profile.
Queiroz’s European tour is therefore seen as a critical phase in identifying in-form players. His focus on direct player engagement, combined with detailed match scouting, signals an intent to integrate both experienced internationals and emerging talents into a unified system.
With preparations now underway, attention turns to how quickly his ideas translate into performance and whether Ghana can match the ambition set by its football leadership on the road to North America 2026.
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