Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz has delivered a frank message to his squad ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting that ambition alone will not be enough to lift football’s biggest prize.
The Black Stars, four-time African champions, are preparing for their fifth appearance at the global tournament, which will be staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Ghana have been drawn in Group L, where they will face Panama, England and Croatia in a challenging pool that promises a stern test of their credentials.
Speaking on the Beyond The Whistle podcast, Queiroz stressed that success at World Cup level demands more than desire, highlighting discipline, preparation and sacrifice as the true foundations of any serious title challenge.
“It’s easy to say, ‘I want to win the World Cup,’ just like many people want to buy a private jet,” he said.
“But you have to be ready to pay the price to achieve those dreams,” Queiroz added.
Ghana will begin their campaign against Panama on June 17, before taking on England on June 23 and Croatia on June 27.
Ahead of the tournament, the Black Stars are set to fine-tune preparations with friendly matches against Mexico later this month and Wales on June 2.
