2026 World Cup: We would have loved to have Otto Addo as coach – GFA Comms Director Asante Twum
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has revealed it would have preferred Otto Addo to remain in charge of the Black Stars at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but says a decline in results left the association with little choice but to make a coaching change.
GFA Communications Director Henry Asante Twum said the decision to part ways with Addo was not taken lightly, especially after the former Ghana international guided the country to qualification for the World Cup.
Addo was reappointed as Black Stars coach in March 2024 and successfully secured Ghana’s place at the tournament, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
However, his position came under increasing scrutiny after Ghana failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco and endured a difficult run of results during preparations for the World Cup.
Back-to-back defeats against Austria and Germany in recent international friendlies intensified pressure on the coaching staff and ultimately led to the GFA making a change ahead of the tournament.
“We would have loved to have the coach who qualified us for the World Cup, but unfortunately, the results were not looking good, and after the search period, we appointed Carlos Queiroz as the new coach for the Black Stars,” Asante Twum told DW TV.
“He is very experienced, and that is what we needed at this moment,” he added.
The appointment of veteran Portuguese manager Carlos Queiroz signals Ghana’s desire for experience as they seek to improve on their recent World Cup performances.
The four-time African champions are aiming to progress beyond the group stage for the first time since their memorable quarter-final appearance at the 2010 tournament in South Africa. Ghana were eliminated in the group phase at both the 2014 and 2022 World Cups.
The Black Stars are currently in the United States completing their final preparations for the competition, where they have been drawn in Group L alongside England, Croatia and Panama.
Carlos Queiroz’s side will begin their campaign against Panama on 17 June at BMO Field before taking on England at Gillette Stadium on 23 June.
Their final group-stage fixture will be against Croatia on 27 June as Ghana seek to secure a place in the knockout rounds and revive memories of their most successful World Cup campaign.
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