2026 World Cup: The real 'World Cup' starts now against Colombia - Carlos Queiroz
Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has described the knockout phase of the 2026 World Cup as the true beginning of the tournament as his side gears up for a Round of 32 showdown against Colombia on Saturday.
The match will be played at the Kansas City Stadium on Saturday morning, July 4, with kick-off set for 01:30 GMT.
Queiroz, who replaced Otto Addo in April 2026, leaned on his extensive tournament experience as he underlined the magnitude of the occasion and Ghana’s ambition to reach the Round of 16 for the first time since 2010.
"I'm fully ready. I have been in this situation [knockout football] a couple of times," Queiroz told the media on Thursday.
"The real World Cup starts now. These are the games that count and matter."
The 73-year-old has previously led teams at four World Cups, including Portugal in 2010, Iran in 2014 and 2018, and Egypt in 2022, building a reputation for navigating high-stakes knockout football.
His appointment has already brought noticeable structure to the Black Stars, particularly in defence. Ghana conceded just twice in the group stage, a record that has strengthened belief ahead of the elimination rounds.
Ghana’s last World Cup knockout appearance came in 2010, when they reached the quarter-finals in South Africa, a campaign still regarded as their best on the global stage.