Carlos Queiroz says Ghana must secure qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 while using the campaign to begin building a team capable of restoring the Black Stars’ standing on the world stage.
Ghana begin their Group C qualifiers against Cote d’Ivoire and Gambia in the coming days, with Queiroz urging his players to maintain maximum concentration. The Black Stars will also face Morocco in a friendly during the international window.
The 73-year-old Portuguese coach will have to work without Mohammed Kudus and Prince Adu Kwabena for the opening qualifying fixtures. Ghana are seeking a response after failing to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Queiroz said the immediate priority was to reach the 2027 tournament, but stressed that the team’s longer-term development could not be ignored.
“Hands on the present, eyes on the future. The priority is very clear: to focus absolutely on qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations, with the 2030 World Cup in sight,” he said.
“We have an immediate objective that demands all our concentration, but we also have a more important destination ahead of us. This is the time to start building the team for 2030, a team truly capable of honouring Ghana’s extraordinary World Cup heritage.”
The comments reflect the shared approach of the Ghana Football Association and the national-team coach, who are attempting to balance the demands of the qualifiers with the creation of a competitive squad for the years ahead.
Ghana’s first task is to navigate the matches against Cote d’Ivoire and Gambia and secure a place at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. At the same time, Queiroz is laying the foundations for a side he hopes can develop over the next six years.
The plan is intended to deliver more than a return to the continental tournament. Ghana, four-time African champions, also want to rebuild their historic position in international football and prepare a squad capable of competing at the 2030 World Cup.