Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has defended his final squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, urging Ghanaians to trust his decisions despite growing debate over some notable omissions.
Speaking after announcing his 26-man squad, the Portuguese tactician said selecting a World Cup team is never easy and that leadership requires making the right choices, not necessarily the most popular ones.
Queiroz acknowledged that football fans, pundits and the media will always have differing opinions on player selection but stressed that his focus is on building a balanced team capable of delivering results on the world stage.
“Football is a game of opinions,” he said, adding that discussions about who should have been included or excluded are a normal part of the game.
The veteran coach revealed that he had more players in contention than FIFA regulations allow.
“I have 29 players in my head, but the rules say I can only take 26,” Queiroz explained.
According to him, several players came very close to making the final squad, but difficult decisions had to be taken to ensure balance across all departments of the team.
He also warned against selecting players based solely on reputation or popularity, noting that a successful national team requires the right mix of talent across different positions.
“The team cannot be made by 10 goalkeepers. I cannot put 12 wingers, even if they are the best,” he said.
Queiroz insisted that every decision was made with Ghana’s success in mind and called on supporters to back the team as they prepare for the tournament.
“Leadership is about making the right decisions under the circumstances that we have,” he stated.
