Carlos Queiroz just entered a club so exclusive it has exactly two members. By taking the Ghana job ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 73-year-old Portuguese tactician will coach at his fifth consecutive World Cup, a feat matched only by the legendary Bora Milutinovic, who managed five different nations across the 1986 to 2002 tournaments.
Queiroz was appointed as Ghana’s new head coach on April 13, 2026, inheriting a squad that has historically punched above its weight on the global stage but has struggled to recapture the magic of its earlier World Cup runs.
From Lisbon to Tehran to Accra
Queiroz’s World Cup journey reads like a frequent flyer’s dream itinerary. He led Portugal at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, then took charge of Iran for three consecutive tournaments: Brazil 2014, Russia 2018, and Qatar 2022. Now Ghana becomes the third national team he’ll guide onto football’s biggest stage.
His World Cup coaching record stands at 16 matches and 4 wins. His stint as Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant at Manchester United gave him elite-level tactical credibility. His time managing Real Madrid, while brief, proved he could operate in the most high-pressure environments in club football.
