Carlos Queiroz targets Black Stars rebuild for the 2030 World Cup

Carlos Queiroz says Ghana must begin laying the foundations for the next generation of the Black Stars as he targets a team capable of qualifying for and competing at the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

Queiroz, who was in charge of Ghana during the 2026 World Cup, returned for a second spell after his short-term contract ended following the tournament, with uncertainty initially surrounding his future.

The Portuguese coach has now outlined a long-term vision for the Black Stars, stressing that the rebuilding process must begin with the current AFCON qualifying campaign.

“Step by step, we have to plant the seeds of rebuilding or, in another word, build a strong team, a capable team that will be able to qualify and compete in the World Cup 2030,” Queiroz said.

The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers therefore represent the beginning of another phase for the national team, with Queiroz looking to establish a core of players who can form the backbone of the team in the years ahead.

His plans have already been complicated by injuries and withdrawals, with several players unavailable for the opening qualifier against Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké.

Mohammed Kudus withdrew from the squad to continue his recovery, while Thomas Partey was not called up because of a hamstring problem. Lorient defender Nathaniel Adjei has also withdrawn through injury.

Despite those setbacks, Queiroz believes Ghana must use the current period to build a team with enough depth and quality to compete beyond the immediate AFCON campaign.

The Black Stars face Côte d’Ivoire on Thursday before hosting The Gambia in Accra on September 29, with the longer-term objective of developing a team capable of taking Ghana into the next World Cup cycle.