Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has named his final squad for Ghana’s World Cup preparations, including a fourth goalkeeper as cover, and says his players are ready to die for the shirt ahead of Tuesday’s friendly against Wales and the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, Canada and the United States of America.
On selecting the squad
It was a long, intensive process. Full of detail. Weeks, day and night, of observation, analysis, conversations with club coaches, and consultations with everyone around our players. After that systematic process, I’m fully confident. I have full trust in the 26 players I’ve put in the squad.
Actually, my squad has 27 players. We have the privilege to have another player with us — a goalkeeper — who accepts to be part of our team, part of our training, and ready if something happens in that department. That gives me comfort and confidence before the World Cup.
This may be new to a lot of people — an additional player not in the official 26, but a squad member.
On adding a fourth goalkeeper
The goalkeeper department in a short tournament is very sensitive. When the World Cup starts, football stops. Nobody is training. If we need to replace a goalkeeper and call one who isn’t in good shape or ready to compete, it’s almost impossible. Keeping this fourth goalkeeper achieves two things. First, it’s part of our development programme for Ghanaian goalkeepers. He’s young with fantastic qualities. We have eyes on the future. Second, it sustains our training and covers us for an eventual replacement. If we’re forced to make that decision — which I hope doesn’t happen — he’s ready. He’s ready to compete, to perform. That’s the key: you have to be ready.
On the decision not being unique
This isn’t unique. Other national teams think the same way. I was caught by surprise with unusual situations in previous competitions. In the last two World Cups, I covered myself by convincing a development player to be with us, be part of the team, and be ready.
On Alexander Djiku’s injury and Derrick Luckassen’s call-up
It’s one of those moments we don’t like. Djiku got injured during the Cup Final. It was a very difficult decision. We’ll miss him — he’s a great guy, a great professional. I didn’t work with him directly, but I spent hours watching videos and speaking with people around him.
But that’s football. We have to move forward and show full trust in the players we have. The replacement was based on observation. We don’t work with just 11 or 22 players. You can win games with 22, but to be champions you need a full squad ready. When we knew about the injury, we went to our list. Luckassen was ready. I know he’ll be committed, dedicated, and will perform fantastically for the national team.
On squad arriving late before Wales friendly
Let’s be realistic. More than 50% of the squad wasn’t here with us. They only started arriving because of club games until May 25. They needed rest — three, four, five days depending on minutes and intensity. Some countries didn’t even respect FIFA’s mandatory period and scheduled cup finals until May 29. This is the modern game. It’s our duty to make the right decisions to manage fitness and mental freshness. We want players to come here excited, not exhausted.
Today — the day before the game — is the first time we have the team together. That’s an innovation for my football book. To go into a World Cup warm-up friendly with players arriving the day before… it’s about innovations in the game.
On team chemistry over individuals
It’s not about me. It’s about the shirt and Ghana. In national teams, with few training minutes, it’s sometimes hard to build that collectiveness, that chemistry. Big stars come and want to express themselves, sometimes without that connection.
My goal last week was to build that belief: together, we can be a very, very powerful team. Alone, you can be fast, you can arrive first. But if you want to become a champion, you do it together.
I tell them jokingly: when we defend, we have to defend with 14. I don’t care who runs for two or three. But the other team must think, ‘These guys are playing with 14.’ When we win the ball, we attack with six or seven. That’s modern football. Our players know that. They just need to transfer it to the yellow shirt, to the red shirt. It’s as simple as that.
On hope and realism for Ghana
My message is positive — a message of hope. We dream of success at this World Cup, bringing joy and happiness to the people. But I must also deliver a realistic message. Football is a game of opinions. That’s the beauty of it. All opinions are valid. Debate, even conflict, is welcome — it keeps the fire burning. It drives us to be better, to grow, to be champions.
For us coaches, it’s about inclusion. Exclusion is for commentators, press, fans. They can enjoy talking about exclusion. My job is inclusion.
They give me 26 players, but I have 29 in my head. The rule is 36. Today I decide 26. Tomorrow, in different circumstances, we make different decisions. That’s why the game is beautiful — everything is possible, realistic and fantasy at the same time.
So: enjoy, but trust. These 26, 27 players are, under these circumstances, the ones I believe are ready as a team to perform better. I can’t pick 10 goalkeepers or 12 wingers, even if they’re the best. We need balance, harmony. Leadership isn’t about popular or comfortable decisions. It’s about making the right decisions. And I trust this group. Goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders — together, you see something solid. For different games, different moments, we have all the solutions.
Final message to Ghanaians
Enjoy it. Be proud of your team. We’re going to give our best. The players — they want to die for the shirt. I did individual interviews with all of them. I was touched by the feelings they expressed about playing for the Black Stars. Believe me, they have great respect for the nation and the people. I’m sure they’ll do their best. But this is not a walk in the park. It’s not a day at the beach. We play the best teams in the world. They have the same wish, desire, motivation, ambition. When the game starts, it’s 50-50. People need to accept that football is unpredictable. We fight for the result. We’ll be on the pitch with one thing in mind: to make people happy. We’ll fight with a winning mentality. If we’re the best team on the day, the chances to leave as winners are always high. And I hope when our players come off, they come with their heads up — proud of themselves, and make Ghana proud.
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