World Cup 2026: Carlos Queiroz will kill egos in Black Stars – Marcel Desailly

France 1998 World Cup winner Marcel Desailly has backed new Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz to tackle one of African football's persistent challenges: player egos.

The former Chelsea and Marseille defender believes the Portuguese tactician's vast experience in European football will enable him to make tough decisions, including phasing out underperforming senior players.

"He has real experience in European football over the years. So he will kill a little bit of the egos. In Africa, we have a problem with the egos," Desailly told Flashscore.

"The older players that are in the team, who are no longer performing, but they are still there, and you cannot move them out."

Desailly's comments highlight a delicate issue for many African national teams, where established stars sometimes retain their places despite declining performances, making it difficult for coaches to refresh the squad.

Queiroz, who has managed Real Madrid, Iran, and Egypt and led four different nations to the World Cup, is known for his tactical discipline and strong personality.

The 73-year-old was appointed on a short-term deal to lead Ghana at the 2026 World Cup. His ability to manage egos and make bold selection calls will be critical as the Black Stars face a challenging Group L that includes England, Croatia, and Panama.

Desailly's endorsement suggests Queiroz's experience and authority will be assets in restoring discipline and performance-driven selection to the Ghana setup.