Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz has urged the Black Stars to combine ambition with humility as the team begins preparations for its immediate objective of qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations, while laying the foundation for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Queiroz said Ghana must remain focused on the task ahead rather than discuss winning the continental tournament before securing qualification.
“We must have ambition, but also humility. We know our recent history and we cannot talk about winning AFCON when we have not yet qualified,” Queiroz said.
“We have to work, grow, compete and earn our destiny.”
The Portuguese coach described AFCON qualification as the team’s immediate priority, while identifying the 2030 World Cup as the broader target of his rebuilding project.
“Hands on the present, eyes on the future. The priority is very clear: absolute focus on AFCON qualification, with our eyes set on the 2030 World Cup,” he added.
Queiroz also explained that his technical team had carried out an extensive assessment of the players before making decisions on selection and preparation.
“Our technical staff carried out our usual in-depth monitoring of the players,” he said, noting that the limitations and periods of inactivity affecting some players were taken into consideration.
The coach stressed that players must be competing regularly and arrive in camp physically prepared if they are to represent the national team.
“There is always one general principle that we consider fundamental at this stage, except in exceptional circumstances: players should be in competitive action, physically prepared and fully ready to play for the national team.”
Queiroz acknowledged that Ghana has an immediate assignment requiring full concentration but insisted that the team must also begin developing a squad capable of restoring the country’s status on the global stage.
“We have an immediate objective that demands our full concentration, but we also have a greater destination ahead of us,” he said.
“This is the moment to start building the team for 2030, a team truly capable of honouring Ghana’s extraordinary World Cup legacy.”