World Cup 2026: The five 'sins' of Carlos Queiroz

GhanaWeb Feature by Benjamin Sackey

Coach Carlos Queiroz’s stint with the Black Stars was met with mixed reactions, over some decisions that has left football enthusiasts aggrieved.

The Portuguese gaffer took over from Otto Addo prior to the 2026 World Cup following a streak of poor performances in pre-tournament friendly games.

Despite having a fairly good tournament, the team’s exit led to harsh criticisms over several decisions made during the Mundial.

Why Carlos Queiroz's Ghana contract was not extended after World Cup exit

Queiroz left his role after the tournament, as his contract was tied to leading the team through the competition.

World Cup Performance

The Black Stars began the tournament on a high note, recording a 1-0 win through a last-gasp goal from Caleb Yirenkyi.

However, the team’s defensive approach was not welcomed by some fans.

In their second game, the team deployed a low-block strategy to grind out a 0-0 draw against England.

The final group game saw them open up play but eventually lose 2-1 to Croatia.

The Black Stars collected four points from three matches, securing qualification to the Round of 32, where they lost 1-0 to Colombia.

Five Things That Got Carlos Queiroz Criticised

Defensive Approach

Although Queiroz is known for his defensive style, the team’s overall performance did not sit well with fans and journalists.

Deploying a back-five formation against Panama and England was heavily criticized, especially in the opening game, as many believed it limited the team’s attacking potential.

Handling of Goalkeeping Options

Accra Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Benjamin Asare was the first-choice heading into the tournament, but Queiroz rotated between him and Lawrence Ati-Zigi.

Ati-Zigi was injured in the first half against Panama, and Asare stepped in, performing well.

However, Queiroz later benched Asare for Ati-Zigi, a decision that critics argued disrupted team momentum and overlooked the local goalkeeper’s connection with the squad.

Jonas Adjetey Benched

Jonas Adjetey and Jerome Opoku formed a solid center-back partnership against Panama and England, helping secure a win and a draw.

Yet, in the final group game against Croatia and the Round of 32 clash with Colombia, Adjetey was benched for Derrick Luckasson.

With no official explanation of an injury, critics argued Queiroz should have retained the successful pairing.

Sidelining Brandon Thomas-Asante

Coventry City striker Brandon Thomas-Asante impressed fans with his exploits, including involvement in Caleb Yirenkyi’s last-gasp goal against Panama.

Expectations were high for him to feature prominently, but he remained on the bench and was introduced late in games.

Against Colombia, he was benched entirely, which critics believe contributed to the lack of attacking spark.

Handling of Skipper Jordan Ayew

Captain Jordan Ayew played significant minutes despite failing to contribute goals. He was often sluggish, slow in pressing opponents, held onto the ball too long, and delayed passes, which slowed the attack.

Critics argued Queiroz should have substituted him earlier in matches, rather than waiting until late, leading to frustration among fans.

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