2026 World Cup: I hope Carlos Queiroz's appointment will inspire Black Stars players - Kurt Okraku

President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Okraku, believes the appointment of experienced Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz could inject renewed energy and belief into the Black Stars ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Queiroz was named Ghana head coach in March following the dismissal of Otto Addo, as the country shifts focus to the global tournament scheduled for this summer.

Speaking to Footie Centre on the sidelines of the FIFA Congress in Vancouver over the weekend, Okraku acknowledged concerns over injuries to key players but expressed confidence that the new technical direction would galvanise the team.

"When I look at the list, it's quite worrying, but I derive my positivity from the fact that there is something in the Ghanaian; the indomitable spirit of the Ghanaian will always come up when the chips are so low, and I would want to believe that, with the unity of purpose that has been demonstrated by the entire nation as a result of the arrival of coach Carlos Queiroz, it would arouse extra energy in the Ghanaian player, to the 12th man, and we will find the right level of energy to be competitive," Okraku said.

The Black Stars will be making their fifth appearance at the World Cup and have been drawn in Group I alongside Panama, England, and Croatia.

Ghana will begin their campaign against Panama on June 17, before facing England on June 23 and Croatia on June 27.

Ahead of the tournament, Queiroz’s side will step up preparations with friendly matches against Mexico later this month and Wales on June 2.

The former Iran, Egypt, and Colombia head coach is expected to announce his final World Cup squad on June 1.