2026 World Cup: We will use our positive strengths against Colombia – Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz
Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz says the Black Stars have identified areas they can target when they face Colombia in the round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup.
Colombia arrive in the knockout stage unbeaten after an unexpected victory in Group K, finishing above Portugal and other European contenders. But Queiroz, who coached Colombia from 2019 to 2020, believes no side is without flaws.
The Portuguese-born coach said his previous experience with the Colombian national team could be useful, although he stressed that Ghana had prepared for the current squad rather than relying on past knowledge.
“It is true that I know the team well, the Colombian players,” Queiroz told reporters ahead of the match. “But it is also our obligation to study today’s Colombia, not yesterday’s Colombia.”
He said Colombia’s current side had similarities to the team he managed at the Copa America, describing them as talented and well organised.
“It is a good team, but we also have players with a lot of quality and a very strong team with a lot of determination,” he said.
“What we have to do is play in our style, use our positive strengths, against the weaker points of Colombia. There are no perfect teams. Colombia is not perfect. It is a great team, but it is not perfect. We are a great team; we are not perfect.”
Queiroz said Ghana would need a disciplined performance to overcome a Colombia side expected to be highly motivated by the opportunity to progress further in the tournament.
He warned that the knockout format left little room for error, with the match potentially going to extra time if the teams could not be separated after 90 minutes.
“Tomorrow is a game where there is no room for mistakes,” he said. “There are no tomorrows. We have to do everything right for 90 minutes, 120 minutes, if that is the case.”
The 2026 World Cup is the first to feature a round of 32, following the tournament’s expansion to 48 teams.
Queiroz said the pressure surrounding the tie should be embraced rather than feared.
“The pressure of a game like this is not a problem, it is a privilege,” he said. “It is a privilege to be here, to play against great players from Colombia, great players from Ghana, on the stage of the best football in the world.”
The winner will advance to the last 16, while defeat would bring an immediate end to either side’s World Cup campaign.
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