Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams has outlined an ambitious vision for the Black Stars, revealing that newly appointed head coach Carlos Queiroz has been tasked with guiding Ghana to the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Portuguese tactician, who recently took over from Otto Addo on a short-term deal, has been handed a mandate that goes beyond participation, with government expectations set firmly on surpassing Ghana’s historic quarter-final run in 2010.
Speaking on Asempa FM, the Minister stressed that the target reflects a broader ambition to reposition Ghana among the continent’s leading football nations.
“We have given the coach a good target to do better in the World Cup than we did in 2010. It was the same target given to Otto Addo,” Adams said.
He further outlined additional benchmarks tied to the team’s long-term development and competitiveness.
“The team should be ranked among the top five in Africa, and we should win the AFCON, which we did not qualify for. At the moment, we are not even among the best in Africa,” he noted.
“We want to do better in the World Cup, and that is by getting into the semifinals of the World Cup. Even better, we want to win the World Cup, and that is the ultimate aim,” he added.
The directive signals a clear shift toward high expectations, as stakeholders seek to restore the Black Stars’ standing both on the continent and globally.
Ghana will be making their fifth appearance at the World Cup and have been drawn in Group L alongside England, Croatia, and Panama.