The Ghana Football Association has narrowed its search for a new head coach of the Black Stars to a three-man shortlist following the departure of Otto Addo, with just over two months remaining before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The final candidates include Paulo Bento, Carlos Queiroz, and Fernando Santos—three vastly experienced tacticians with notable World Cup pedigree. Bento guided Portugal at the 2014 tournament and South Korea in 2022, while Queiroz has managed Portugal and led Iran across three World Cups in 2014, 2018, and 2022. Santos, meanwhile, took charge of Greece in 2014 and later led Portugal at both the 2018 and 2022 editions.
What unites the trio is a reputation for disciplined, defense-first football—an approach the GFA appears to be prioritizing as it seeks stability after a turbulent run of results that led to Addo’s dismissal. Ghana conceded heavily in recent friendlies, a factor that has influenced the federation’s thinking as it looks for a quick fix ahead of the global showpiece.
The timing of the decision adds urgency to the process. Ghana are heading into the World Cup with roughly 64 to 66 days to prepare, leaving little margin for a new coach to implement tactical ideas, assess the squad, and build cohesion. Reports suggest the federation may even consider a short-term appointment focused solely on the tournament before making a long-term decision afterward.
With the clock ticking and expectations rising, the GFA’s next move will be decisive—not just for Ghana’s World Cup campaign, but for the immediate future of one of Ghana.
