Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku believes Carlos Queiroz could have assembled a stronger Black Stars squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup if he had been given more time to scout and assess players.

He made the remarks during an interview with 3Sports on Friday, September 4.

“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 need for Ghana to preserve its traditional technical style of play, where players are allowed to express their abilities through dribbling, ball control and passing.

He said players with strong technical qualities could help the team break down defences while producing the entertaining football Ghanaian supporters have traditionally identified with.

“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 some of 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, noting that Queiroz had to make his selections based on the style of football he wanted to implement.

“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 suggested that the criticism surrounding Queiroz’s approach may have been less intense if Ghana had 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,” he added.

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.”

Queiroz to remain as Black Stars head coach

Meanwhile, a report by Accra-based football news outlet GhanaSoccerNet indicates that Queiroz is set to remain as head coach of the Black Stars.

According to the report, the development follows the completion of discussions between the GFA and the Portuguese coach over outstanding payments owed to him and members of his backroom staff.

The report indicates that the outstanding arrears have now been settled, removing a major issue that had been central to discussions over Queiroz’s future.

The payments were reportedly facilitated by the GFA through the Ministry of Sports.

With the financial obligations settled, negotiations over a contract extension are said to be at an advanced stage.

Queiroz, 73, was appointed in April following the dismissal of Otto Addo in March after a disappointing run of results.