Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz has expressed his admiration for the Black Stars squad, describing the team as a “fantastic group” ahead of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
The experienced Portuguese trainer believes Ghana’s journey at the 2026 FIFA World Cup helped strengthen the bond within the team and gave the technical staff a better understanding of the players’ qualities, mentality and character.
Queiroz guided Ghana to the knockout stage of the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, marking the country’s best performance at the tournament since reaching the quarter-finals in 2010.
With the global competition now behind them, the 73-year-old has shifted focus towards helping the Black Stars secure qualification for the next AFCON tournament after missing out on the previous edition.
Speaking in an interview with the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Queiroz said the World Cup experience was valuable in building a stronger national team.
“Very important. We worked intensively on the entire process we went through during the World Cup,” Queiroz said.
“It was an experience that gave us a deep understanding of the players, their qualities and their character.”
The former Real Madrid, Portugal and Iran coach praised the unity within the squad, insisting Ghana possesses the right team culture to achieve success.
“We have a fantastic group and a fantastic national-team culture. I am a very proud coach to be part of this group,” he added.
Queiroz’s first major test after the World Cup comes in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, with Ghana facing a tough opening fixture against Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké on September 24.
The Black Stars will then return home to host The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on September 27 before ending the international window with a friendly encounter against Morocco in Tangier on October 4.
Ghana have already opened camp in Accra as Queiroz begins preparations for a demanding period aimed at returning the four-time African champions to the continent’s biggest football tournament.
