By: Ebenezer Adu-Gyamfi / Emmanuel Ayiku for GhanaianNewsCanada | May 22, 2026
Assistant coach Desmond Offei is set to lead Ghana’s senior national football team, the Black Stars, in their international friendly against Mexico following the absence of head coach Carlos Queiroz due to personal reasons. The Ghana Football Association (GFA) confirmed that Queiroz will miss the highly anticipated encounter in Puebla, Mexico, as Ghana continues preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to the GFA, Offei has already been overseeing training sessions and preparations since the team arrived in Mexico and will now take charge from the dugout for the friendly match.
The technical bench will also see adjustments, with assistant coach Roger De Sa reportedly unavailable for the game. Offei will instead be supported by goalkeepers’ trainer Daniel Gaspar and set-piece coach and video analyst Gregory De Grauwe during the fixture.
The match against Mexico forms part of Ghana’s build-up toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the Black Stars have been drawn into a challenging group featuring England, Croatia, and Panama. Football officials view the friendly as an important opportunity to assess players, test tactical systems, and improve squad cohesion ahead of the tournament.
Reports indicate that 22 players are currently in camp for the Mexico encounter, with preparations intensifying as the technical team evaluates performance levels before the final World Cup squad announcement. The Black Stars are also scheduled to face Wales and Jamaica in additional warm-up games in the coming weeks.
The Mexico clash carries additional importance because it offers one of the first major opportunities for Ghana’s technical team to assess squad readiness against strong international opposition ahead of football’s biggest stage. Analysts say the game could also provide early insight into the tactical direction expected under Queiroz despite his temporary absence from the touchline.
For Desmond Offei, the assignment represents another significant moment in his growing coaching journey after previously working with Ghana’s youth national teams and serving within the Black Stars technical setup. Many observers will closely watch how the assistant coach manages the team in the absence of the experienced Queiroz.
