2026 World Cup: GFA to finalise Black Stars backroom staff as Carlos Queiroz replaces Otto Addo as new head coach

Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Henry Asante Twum, has confirmed that a decision will be made on Black Stars’ technical and backroom staff following the appointment of Carlos Queiroz as head coach of the senior national team.

Queiroz’s arrival comes after Ghana secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled for this summer.

The team’s backroom structure had been strengthened during Otto Addo’s tenure, but recent developments have triggered a fresh review.

Addo has since been dismissed after Ghana suffered defeats to Austria and Germany during the March international break.

Winfried Schäfer, who served as technical advisor and director of football at the GFA, has also been relieved of his duties as part of a wider restructuring exercise.

Despite these changes, elements of the previous technical team remain in place. This includes assistants and support staff such as John Paintsil, Desmond Ofei, Alain Ravera, Kim Lars Björkegren, Fatawu Dauda, Kris Perquy, Gregory De Grauwe, José Daniel Martínez Alfonso, Carlos Lozano Romero, Issah Amadou and Abdul Rahman Alhassan.

In an interview with Asempa FM, Asante Twum confirmed that Queiroz has proposed bringing in additional personnel to strengthen his technical setup, though no final decision has been taken on the existing structure.

"Carlos Queiroz has proposed bringing in additional backroom staff to support his work, but the current technical team remains in place. No final decision has been made yet."

Queiroz is expected to officially begin work next month, with his first assignments set to include an international friendly against Mexico, followed by a final preparatory match against Wales on June 2.

Ghana will be making its fifth appearance at the FIFA World Cup, having been drawn in Group L. The Black Stars will open their campaign against Panama on June 17, before facing England on June 23 and Croatia on June 27.

After disappointing early exits in both the 2014 tournament in Brazil and the 2022 edition in Qatar, Queiroz takes charge at a critical moment, with expectations high for a more competitive showing on football’s biggest stage.