Carlos Queiroz Returns as Ghana Coach Weeks After Announcing His Exit

Carlos Queiroz will remain in charge of Ghana's national football team after the Ghana Football Association reversed course on what had looked like a clean break just weeks earlier.

The 73 year old Portuguese coach appeared to announce his own departure on social media shortly after the Black Stars crashed out of the FIFA World Cup in July, but the GFA confirmed in early September that internal talks with the federation and Ghana's Ministry of Sports and Recreation had produced a different outcome. Queiroz will now begin a second spell in charge, this time heading straight into 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying.

Queiroz took the job in April and guided Ghana to the round of 32 at the World Cup, his fifth consecutive appearance managing at football's biggest tournament. The run ended in Kansas City on July 3, when Ghana fell 1-0 to Colombia. In the aftermath of that defeat, the coach signaled on social media that he was stepping away from the role, a message that appeared to close the book on his time with the Black Stars.

It did not. The GFA said discussions that followed led to an agreement to bring Queiroz back for what the federation described as the team's next phase. "Following discussions with the GFA and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, it was agreed that Carlos Queiroz would embark on a new coaching mandate, commencing with the upcoming international window," the association said in a statement. The GFA has not disclosed how long the new deal runs, though it said Queiroz would be tasked with preparing the squad for what it called a successful new phase on the international stage, pointing to his international pedigree and familiarity with the Black Stars as reasons he remains well placed to lead the team forward.

Queiroz addressed the reversal himself in an Instagram post, describing the chance to continue as a source of immense pride and honour. He framed the role in broader terms than results on the pitch. "Serving Ghana is far more than coaching a football team," he wrote. "It is a privilege, a responsibility and a mission to honour one of Africa's greatest football nations and its incredible and passionate football people. Our ambition is clear, improve every day, unite the nation, make Ghana stronger and fight for every victory with passion, humility and pride. The mission continues."

His new mandate begins immediately with qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, set to kick off later this month. Ghana has been drawn into Group C alongside Ivory Coast, The Gambia and Somalia, with the tournament proper scheduled to be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The federation has yet to confirm dates and venues for the Black Stars' opening two fixtures, against Ivory Coast and The Gambia.

Queiroz arrives back in the post with a coaching resume few in international football can match. A two time assistant manager at Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson and a former assistant at Real Madrid, he has since taken charge of national teams including Portugal, Iran, Egypt, South Africa, Colombia and Qatar, leading several of them to major tournaments. That depth of experience is now back at the disposal of a Black Stars side looking to build on its World Cup showing as it turns its attention to reclaiming continental success.