GFA unlikely to extend Carlos Queiroz’s contract despite calls for continuity

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is not expected to extend the contract of Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz, despite widespread calls for the veteran Portuguese coach to stay on with the national team. Queiroz joined Ghana in April on a four-month contract, tasked with leading the Black Stars during their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

His guidance saw Ghana advance to the World Cup's knockout stage, a first since 2010, though they were ultimately eliminated in the Round of 32. This performance has led to calls for Queiroz's retention, with Ghana's President John Mahama publicly backing the idea during a July visit to the Sports Stadium. Mahama urged authorities to persuade Queiroz to continue coaching the team, believing continued stability could help Ghana compete for titles at the Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup.

However, Queiroz's future remains unclear. Initially, the Portuguese coach suggested his time with the Black Stars was nearing an end, though he later clarified this was a misinterpretation of his social media post. Negotiations to retain Queiroz have been hampered by his demands, leaving the GFA exploring other coaching options.

The situation is further complicated by the departure of assistant coach Roger De Sa, who has joined Cape Town Spurs as technical director. This means Queiroz would need to restructure his coaching team if he remains in charge. The GFA is now under pressure to resolve the coaching situation before Ghana's return to competitive action.

The Black Stars are set to start their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign in September, having missed the previous tournament in Morocco. They are drawn in Group C alongside Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, and Somalia. With qualifiers approaching, the GFA aims to avoid prolonged uncertainty over the national team's leadership to ensure the Black Stars have sufficient time to prepare for their quest to reclaim continental glory.