Sacrifice will decide Ghana’s 2026 World Cup fate - Carlos Queiroz warns

Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz has delivered a stark reminder to his players that ambition alone will not be enough as the team prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
The four-time African champions are set to make their fifth appearance on football’s biggest stage when the tournament kicks off across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The Black Stars have been drawn in Group L alongside England, Croatia and Panama.
Speaking on the Beyond The Whistle podcast, Queiroz stressed that reaching the pinnacle of world football requires more than confidence or public declarations of intent.
He argued that success at that level is built on discipline, preparation and a willingness to endure hardship.
The Portuguese tactician drew a contrast between aspiration and reality, insisting that every participating nation arrives with dreams of lifting the trophy, but only those prepared to make real sacrifices ultimately compete for it.
“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’s campaign will begin on June 17 against Panama, before a high-profile clash with England on June 23 and a concluding group fixture against Croatia on June 27.
In preparation, the Black Stars will step up their build-up with international friendlies against Mexico later this month and Wales on June 2, as Queiroz continues to fine-tune his squad ahead of the global tournament.