Black Stars head coach, Carlos Queiroz, has hit the ground running with his preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by embarking on a comprehensive European tour. Since last Sunday, the Portuguese veteran has been travelling across Europe to personally monitor the form and condition of Ghanaian players while also holding important engagements and meetings with members of the senior national team.
The highly experienced tactician, who was officially unveiled as the new head coach of the Black Stars in Accra just last week, wasted no time in getting down to business. He began his work on home soil by first overseeing the monitoring of players from the Black Galaxies, Ghana’s Olympic team, before jetting off to Europe to connect with the senior squad.
Since arriving on the continent, Coach Queiroz has already made significant strides in building relationships with his key players. He has held productive face-to-face meetings and in-depth discussions with Black Stars captain Jordan Ayew and Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey. These early conversations are seen as crucial steps in establishing his authority and understanding the mindset of the team’s leadership group.
Looking ahead, the 63-year-old Portuguese trainer is expected to meet and speak with several other senior players and team leaders in the coming days. His ambitious schedule includes attending as many matches as possible involving Ghanaian players scattered across various European leagues. From the Premier League to Serie A, La Liga, and beyond, Coach Queiroz aims to assess the current form, fitness levels, and tactical understanding of the players in real-match environments.
Beyond simply watching games, the head coach is determined to sit down with a large number of both established Black Stars and promising talents who could force their way into the squad. During these meetings, he plans to openly share his football philosophy, tactical ideas, and long-term vision for the team as Ghana prepares for what promises to be a challenging World Cup campaign.
Coach Carlos Queiroz is not undertaking this important assignment alone. He is being strongly supported by members of his carefully selected backroom staff, who are accompanying him on the tour to assist with player monitoring, data analysis, and building rapport with both current squad members and potential new additions to the team.
Having officially taken charge of the Black Stars earlier this month, Queiroz now faces the huge responsibility of guiding Ghana to a successful performance at their fifth FIFA World Cup appearance. The tournament will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States in June this year. The Black Stars have been placed in Group L, where they will face tough opposition in the form of Panama, England, and Croatia.
With the competition drawing closer, every match watched, every conversation held, and every training session planned forms part of Queiroz’s meticulous preparation as he looks to mold the Black Stars into a competitive and cohesive unit capable of making Ghana proud on the global stage.
