Carlos Queiroz has resigned as head coach of Ghana national football team following the Black Stars’ elimination from the FIFA World Cup, ending his brief tenure after the team’s 1-0 defeat to Colombia in the Round of 16. The 73-year-old Portuguese coach announced his decision in a statement shared on Instagram on Sunday, saying he was proud of the team’s efforts and believed they had restored confidence and respect to Ghanaian football despite missing out on a place in the quarter-finals. “We cannot claim complete sporting satisfaction, but we can proudly say that we honored the colors of Ghana,” Queiroz wrote. Queiroz was appointed in April to replace Otto Addo after the Black Stars endured a difficult run of four consecutive defeats. Under his leadership, Ghana showed signs of improvement during the World Cup, opening their campaign with a victory over Panama before earning a goalless draw against England. Despite a group-stage defeat to Croatia, Ghana advanced to the knockout stage as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams.
However, the Black Stars were unable to trouble Colombia in the last 16, failing to register a shot on target as their World Cup journey came to an end. In his farewell message, Queiroz called for structural reforms within Ghanaian football, arguing that long-term success depends on stronger planning, player development and institutional support beyond what happens on the pitch. “Reaching a higher level should never be the destination, it should be the beginning of even greater ambitions,” he said. His tenure was also marked by controversy after he selected midfielder Thomas Partey for the World Cup squad while the player faced criminal charges in the United Kingdom, which Partey has denied. The midfielder missed Ghana’s opening match after visa issues prevented his travel to Canada but later featured in matches played in the United States. The Ghana Football Association is now expected to begin the search for a new head coach as preparations begin for upcoming international competitions.
