2026 World Cup: It is unfortunate Otto Addo will not lead Black Stars - Henry Asante Twum
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) says it would have preferred to go into the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Otto Addo in charge, despite the decision to replace him just months before the tournament.
Communications Director Henry Asante Twum explained that while Addo successfully guided the Black Stars to World Cup qualification, a run of poor results in the build-up to the competition forced a change in leadership.
Addo, who was reappointed in March 2024, was unable to secure qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, although he did oversee Ghana’s successful passage to the 2026 World Cup in North America.
However, consecutive defeats to Austria and Germany during preparatory matches intensified scrutiny on the team’s form, leading to his dismissal.
Veteran coach Carlos Queiroz has since been appointed on a short-term deal to steer Ghana through the tournament.
"We would have loved to have the coach (Otto Addo) who qualified us for the World Cup, but unfortunately, the results were not looking good, and after the search period, we appointed Carlos Queiroz as the new coach for the Black Stars," Asante Twum told DW TV.
"He is very experienced, and that is what we needed at this moment," he added.
The Black Stars are currently based in the United States preparing for the tournament, where they have been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England and Croatia.
Ghana will begin their campaign against Panama on June 17 at BMO Field, before facing England on June 23 at Gillette Stadium. Their final group match will be against Croatia on June 27.
Queiroz’s side will be targeting a return to the knockout stage for the first time since 2010, having exited at the group stage in both the 2014 and 2022 editions.