Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has bid an emotional farewell to Ghana following the team’s exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, urging authorities to focus on long-term structural reforms in football development.
In a Facebook post addressed to Ghanaians, the Portuguese tactician reflected on his tenure with the national team, saying football, like life, teaches that “you either win or you learn.” He noted that he leaves with pride in what was achieved, but also with the feeling that even more could have been accomplished.
“I leave this journey with pride in what we achieved, but also with the healthy dissatisfaction of those who always wanted more. Reaching a higher level should never be the destination—it should be the beginning of even greater ambitions,” he wrote.
Queiroz stressed that the future success of the Black Stars would depend not only on performances on the pitch but also on creating strong institutional structures to support player development.
“The future of the Black Stars will not be built only on the pitch. Black Stars success must start off the field, by creating the best possible environment to prepare, protect and develop Ghana’s extraordinary football talent,” he stated.
He expressed gratitude to the leadership of the Ghana Football Association for the opportunity to manage the national team.
“To my President and Board, thank you so much for the opportunity to serve the Ghana National Football Team. It was an honour and privilege to serve the country and the Black Stars,” he said.
The former coach also thanked the players and technical staff for their dedication during his short stint in charge.
“To my players and staff, my deepest gratitude for your courage, commitment and unwavering dedication to the team,” he added.
Addressing supporters, Queiroz admitted that the team did not achieve complete sporting success but maintained that the Black Stars had regained respect and credibility on the international stage.
“To the fans, we cannot claim complete sporting satisfaction, but we can proudly say that we honoured the colours of Ghana and restored respect and credibility to the Black Stars on football’s greatest stage,” he noted.
He ended his message with a hopeful note:
“Thank you, Ghana. The journey starts now. To the future.”
