2026 World Cup: Our target is qualify for the knockout stage - Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz

Carlos Queiroz has set his sights firmly on guiding Ghana beyond the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting that progression to the knockout rounds must be the team’s minimum objective.

His comments came after the Ghana national football team were held to a 1-1 draw with Wales on Tuesday night at the Cardiff City Stadium in a preparatory friendly.

The match remained goalless at halftime before Ghana broke the deadlock in the 66th minute through Caleb Yirenkyi. However, the lead was short-lived, as Lewis Koumas struck two minutes from time to salvage a draw for the hosts.

Reflecting on Ghana’s recent struggles at the global stage, having exited at the group phase in both 2014 and 2022, Queiroz stressed that the ambition must shift towards sustained progress in North America.

“We have to guarantee to qualify for the second round [2026 World Cup]. That is the main goal of our team and our main priority, and we have to focus on that goal.

He added that reaching the knockout stage should be seen as the true beginning of the competition, where margins are decided by winners and losers alone.

“And when you qualify for the second round, the show starts. Because everything is for the winner, nothing is for the loser. The real World Cup starts from the knockout stages, and we want to be there," Queiroz added.

The Black Stars will wrap up their World Cup preparations with a friendly against Jamaica on June 10 before heading to the tournament.

Ghana have been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England and Croatia. They will open their campaign against Panama at BMO Field on June 17, face England on June 23, and conclude their group matches against Croatia on June 27.

The four-time African champions are aiming to reach the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time since their memorable quarter-final run in 2010.