Carlos Queiroz Confirms Black Stars Exit, Says Ghana Comes First

By: Ebenezer Adugyamfi & Emmanuel Ayiku for GhanaianNewsCanada
October 1, 2026

Carlos Queiroz has confirmed his departure as head coach of Ghana’s senior national football team, the Black Stars, after reaching a mutual agreement with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to terminate his contract.

The Portuguese coach announced his exit on Thursday, October 1, following discussions with the GFA, bringing an abrupt end to his latest spell in charge of the national team.

In a farewell statement, Queiroz said the decision was difficult but that both sides agreed that ending their professional relationship was the most appropriate course of action under the circumstances.

He repeatedly placed the interests of Ghanaian football at the centre of his message, ending his statement with the words: “Ghana comes first. The Black Stars come first. Ghanaian football comes first.”

Queiroz points to difficult circumstances

While confirming that the recent results contributed to his departure, Queiroz also referred to broader circumstances surrounding his time with the Black Stars.

The 73-year-old said he came to Ghana with the intention of helping build a stronger future for the national team and contributing to the development of Ghanaian football talent.

However, he acknowledged that the conditions he believed were necessary for that objective were not fully established.

“Despite our commitment and efforts, the necessary conditions were not fully established, and our recent performance added to the decision to bring this journey to an end.”

Queiroz did not publicly specify what he meant by the “necessary conditions”.

The GFA’s statement announcing the termination also did not provide further details about the circumstances surrounding the decision or the terms of the coach’s departure.

Exit follows back-to-back AFCON qualifying defeats

Queiroz’s departure comes just two days after Ghana suffered a damaging 4–2 defeat to The Gambia in the opening stages of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

The Black Stars had taken a 2–0 lead at the Accra Sports Stadium but were unable to maintain their advantage as The Gambia scored four unanswered goals to complete a dramatic comeback.

The defeat followed Ghana’s 2–0 loss to Côte d’Ivoire in the opening Group C fixture.

As a result, Ghana began the qualification campaign without a point from its first two matches. The Black Stars have also conceded six goals across those two games.

The results placed significant pressure on the team and coaching staff, particularly because Ghana is attempting to return to the Africa Cup of Nations after missing the previous tournament in Morocco.

The group also includes Somalia, meaning Ghana still has matches ahead in the qualifying campaign, but the team now faces a new period of uncertainty over its technical leadership.

A short and turbulent second spell

Queiroz’s latest departure is particularly notable because it comes only weeks after he returned to the Black Stars following his initial post-World Cup exit.

He was appointed in April 2026 to take charge of Ghana ahead of the FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Under his leadership, Ghana advanced from the World Cup group stage but were eliminated by Colombia in the Round of 32 after a 1–0 defeat.

Following the tournament, Queiroz left his position before subsequently returning to lead the team into the next phase of its programme.

His return, however, lasted only a short period.

The defeats against Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia meant that Queiroz ended his latest association with the Black Stars after seven matches across his overall 2026 tenure, recording one win, two draws and four defeats. Ghana scored five goals and conceded 10 during that period.

Queiroz thanks players and technical staff

Despite the disappointing results, the Portuguese coach used his farewell message to thank the players, technical staff, the GFA and Ghanaian supporters.

He said the players had represented Ghana with courage and commitment and urged supporters not to abandon the squad because of the team’s recent struggles.

“Believe in these players. Protect them. Support them.”

Queiroz said he believed there was sufficient talent within the current generation of players to achieve significant things for the country if they received unity, support and the right environment.

He also expressed appreciation to GFA President Kurt Okraku for the confidence placed in him and thanked the technical team and everyone who worked with the Black Stars during the World Cup preparations.

GFA begins another search for a Black Stars coach

Queiroz’s departure leaves the Ghana Football Association once again faced with the task of finding a head coach for the national team.

The GFA said it would announce its next technical arrangements and the future leadership structure of the Black Stars in due course.

No permanent replacement had been announced as of October 1.

The timing creates another challenge for Ghana, with the next AFCON qualifying fixtures approaching and the team needing to recover from its poor start in Group C.

The association will therefore have to decide whether to appoint an interim coach or move directly toward a permanent appointment.

What happens next for the Black Stars?

Beyond the immediate question of who will coach the team, Queiroz’s departure adds to a period of uncertainty surrounding Ghana’s national side.

The Black Stars had entered 2026 with expectations surrounding their World Cup campaign, but their early AFCON qualification results have created a new challenge.

The next coach will inherit a team that needs points in its remaining qualifying matches and will also have to address concerns over defensive performances, squad consistency and the team’s ability to manage matches after taking the lead.

For the GFA, the priority will now be establishing a stable technical structure while preparing the Black Stars for their next competitive assignments.

Queiroz, meanwhile, leaves Ghana after a brief and eventful period in charge, but his final message was focused less on his own departure and more on the future of the national team.

He thanked Ghanaians for their support and said he would continue to carry Ghana with respect and affection.

His final words were a direct message to the country and its football supporters:

“Ghana comes first. The Black Stars come first. Ghanaian football comes first.”

For Ghana, the focus now shifts to finding the next coach and rebuilding the team’s campaign before the next round of AFCON qualifiers.