Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has defended the timing of Carlos Queiroz’s appointment as head coach of the Black Stars, insisting the decision was justified despite coming just months before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Queiroz, 73, was confirmed in April following the dismissal of Otto Addo, who had earlier guided Ghana through qualification for the tournament but lost his job after consecutive friendly defeats to Austria and Germany in March.

Speaking in an interview on TV3, Adams argued that appointing an experienced coach shortly before a major tournament is a normal practice in international football and should not be seen as a setback for the Black Stars.

He pointed to Queiroz’s extensive managerial experience, which includes spells with Iran, Egypt and Portugal, as evidence of his suitability for the role at this stage of preparations.

“Choosing a head coach a few months before the tournament is not out of place,” he said.

The former Real Madrid assistant coach has been tasked with guiding Ghana beyond the group stage at the World Cup for the first time since 2010.

Ghana will be making their fifth appearance at the global tournament, where they have been drawn in Group L alongside England, Croatia and Panama.

The Black Stars will open their campaign against Panama on June 17 at BMO Field, before facing England at Gillette Stadium on June 23, with their final group match against Croatia on June 27.