Ghana Head Coach Carlos Queiroz identifies the start of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign as the absolute priority, while framing the Black Stars’ new cycle within a broader and more ambitious project: building a team capable of “honouring” the country at the 2030 World Cup. Queiroz stresses the need to “work and compete with absolute determination and humility.”
Speaking to the official website of the Ghana Football Association, Head Coach Carlos Queiroz discusses the squad selection for the opening AFCON qualifiers and the beginning of a new chapter for the Black Stars:
The World Cup is over and a new cycle now begins. What is the priority?
— Hands on the present, eyes on the future. The priority is very clear: absolute focus on AFCON qualification, with our eyes set on the 2030 World Cup. We have an immediate objective that demands our full concentration, but we also have a greater destination ahead of us. This is the moment to start building the team for 2030, a team truly capable of honouring Ghana’s extraordinary World Cup legacy.
Should Ghana already consider itself a contender to the AFCON title?
— We must have ambition, but also humility. We know our recent history and we cannot talk about winning AFCON when we have not yet qualified. We have to work, grow, compete and earn our destiny.
Where do you currently place Ghana in relation to Africa’s leading national teams?
— Everyone knows the level of competition we face. When we look at some of the national teams currently at the top of African football, we see established sides, built over time, with many of their best players competing regularly at the highest level in Europe, including the Champions League. That is the competitive reality we must recognise and the level we must pursue.
How important was the World Cup for what you now want to build?
— Very important. We worked intensively on the entire process we went through during the World Cup. It was an experience that gave us a deep understanding of the players, their qualities and their character. We have a fantastic group and a fantastic national-team culture. I am a very proud coach to be part of this group.
What were the main criteria in selecting this squad?
— Our technical staff carried out our usual in-depth monitoring of the players. The limitations or periods of inactivity affecting some players are also well known. There is always one general principle that we consider fundamental at this stage, except in exceptional circumstances: players should be in competitive action, physically prepared and fully ready to play for the national team.
Is there any particular message you would like to share ?
— Absolutely. Every squad selection, every training session and every match must contribute to building a better team. We must be humble, understand where we are and recognise that, if we want to compete with the best, it is not enough to work as hard as they do. We have to work even harder and better. That is the best way to turn into reality the great dreams and ambitions we all have for the Ghana national team.
