Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku believes a longer scouting period could have influenced the composition of the Black Stars squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Black Stars, who made their fifth appearance at the Mundial, reached the knockout stage for the first time since 2010 but were eliminated in the Round of 32 following a 1-0 defeat to Colombia.
Speaking in an interview with 3Sports, Mr Okraku suggested that head coach Carlos Queiroz could have selected different players if he had more time to assess Ghanaian talent and better understand the strengths of the country’s players before the tournament.
“I did say that I am sure that if this man had more time to scout, to get to know the Ghanaian players and to pick his players, maybe he wouldn’t have picked the same players he picked for the World Cup,” he said.
Mr Okraku also stressed the importance of technical ability to Ghana’s traditional style of play, highlighting dribbling, passing and ball control as qualities capable of exciting supporters and unlocking defences.
“The Ghanaian style is that simple style of allowing your players to show their technical ability on the ball, their dribbling skills, their passing ability, their high level of technique on the ball.”
According to Mr Okraku, the approach adopted at the World Cup may have limited the attacking qualities traditionally associated with Ghanaian football.
“These kinds of qualities are the ones that will unlock defenders and allow attacking machinery to be very effective. So what you saw obviously was somebody who said a limited edition of what is possible.”
Mr Okraku, however, acknowledged that every coach has the right to select players who fit his tactical philosophy.
“But in the end, all of us come together, and we say that this is the coach. And he picks the kind of players that he wants to pick. He thinks about his philosophy, the players that suit his philosophy, and he deploys them.”
He added that the debate over Queiroz’s approach could have been very different had Ghana progressed further in the tournament.
“I’m sure if we had won against Colombia, if we had gone to the next stage, and maybe in the semifinals, this wouldn’t be a topic. We’ll say that he played dirty, but won the games for us.”
Mr Okraku ultimately acknowledged the unpredictable nature of football, noting that results often determine how tactical decisions are judged.
“Football is that singular activity that one plus one is never two.”
Ghana began their World Cup campaign with a 1-0 victory over Panama before drawing 0-0 with England. They then suffered a 2-1 defeat to Croatia in their final group game.
Meanwhile, Carlos Queiroz has been retained as Black Stars head coach ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers after reaching an agreement with the GFA and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation.
Queiroz’s first assignment under his new deal will be Ghana’s opening matches in the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign later this month.
The Black Stars will travel to Bouaké to face Côte d’Ivoire at the Stade de la Paix on September 24 before hosting The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium three days later.
After failing to qualify for the previous AFCON finals in Morocco, Ghana will be aiming to secure a swift return to the continent’s flagship tournament.
