Portuguese journalist Pedro Luiz CID says the newly appointed Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz is not a coach who relies on big names when selecting his team, insisting that only fit players will earn a place in the squad.
Pedro CID explained that Queiroz’s approach has always been grounded in merit and fitness rather than reputation.
“A player you expect to play is not fit will play just because of the name? If the player is not fit he will not play and the other one less known is fit he will play,” he said on Original Sports Original FM/TV on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
CID added that the veteran coach has shown throughout his career that he is willing to make unpopular decisions if it benefits the team.
“He doesn’t care about names,” he noted, pointing to Queiroz’s time with Iran national football team. He recalled that during the 2018 FIFA World Cup match against Morocco national football team, the coach left out one of Iran’s most highly rated players.
“In Iran, he was very criticized because one of the supposed best Iranian players was not in the starting eleven during the game against Morocco,” CID said.
“Everybody, the player, the media, he put on player that wasn’t well known but he was the best on the pitch that day.”
According to CID, Queiroz’s current situation is also shaped by time constraints ahead of the World Cup, leaving little room for extensive preparation.
“This is a special situation. It is less than 50 days to the World Cup. He has no time to work day-by-day training sessions, friendlies. He has no time to do that,” he explained.
Despite the limited preparation window, CID maintained that the coach’s principles remain unchanged.
“From what I know, for Queiroz names doesn’t count for him. You must be fit and if you are fit to play you are going to play,” he said.
The Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association,announced the appointement of Carlos Queiroz as head coach of the senior national team, the Black Stars in April 2026.
The former Real Madrid, Portugal, and Iran coach will lead Ghana’s campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
