Former Ghana international Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu is uncertain about the fate of the Black Stars as they prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Speaking during an appearance on Sporty FM, following the unveiling of the newly appointed Black Stars coach, Carlos Queiroz, the former Bursaspor forward noted that, “For the World Cup, I have to be very frank; I don’t know where we will reach. Let’s see how he will build the team. The kind of players he will bring on board,” Agyemang-Badu said.

The former U-20 World Cup winner continued that the fate of the Black Stars in the World Cup will only be defined by the strategy and tactics that will be adopted by the new coach.

“The kind of identity we will have and the kind of defensive setup he will deploy. But from today, it will be very difficult for me to predict whether quarter-finals or semi-finals, whether we are going for the cup or evicted in the group stage. It will be very difficult for me,” he added.

Meanwhile, Carlos Queiroz has described his new role as his biggest challenge since working with eight national teams; however, he is “ready to deliver”.

"It is an honour and a privilege to be here today,” Queiroz said at the unveiling. Since I arrived, I have started to feel it. This is the soul of the Black Stars. The soul of the Black Stars is huge, and that means our dreams and expectations are huge.

“After eight national teams and important competitions, this is the biggest challenge of my life, and I am ready for that. I can promise and guarantee that I will bring 40 years of my experience [to the job]," he said.

He made these remarks during his unveiling today at the Alisa hotel during a press conference.

With barely 50 days until the global tournament begins, the former Iran coach is tasked with stabilising the team after four successive defeats.

His appointment comes after the dismissal of Otto Addo on Monday, March 30, following Ghana’s poor performance in the international friendlies against Austria and Germany.

His first assignment, as a stop-gap appointment following his arrival in Ghana, will be to oversee the upcoming international friendly against Mexico. Preparations will then continue with a final test against Wales on June 2 as part of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Ghana, preparing for their fifth appearance at the World Cup, have been drawn in Group L. The Black Stars will open their campaign against Panama on June 17, before facing England on June 23 and Croatia on June 27.

After successive group-stage exits in Brazil 2014 and Qatar 2022, Queiroz faces the challenge of restoring belief and guiding the team to a more competitive show on football’s biggest stage.

Meanwhile, coach Carlos Queiroz will lodge in a hotel as he has arrived in Ghana, the Ghana Football Association has confirmed.

Speaking during an appearance on Asempa FM’s Sports Nite on Monday, April 20, the football governing authority’s Senior Manager, Communications, Sheikh Tophic Sienu, explained that the former 5-bedroom house located at the Airport residential which was handed over by the Sports Ministry in 2018 has now been converted into an office space hence while a decision is yet to be taken in relation to a permanent residence for Ghana Black Stars coaches, the Portugese tactician will be accommodate ina hotel.

“The official house allocated for the Black Stars coach has been converted into office space. The decision will be taken in relation to that, but for his first time coming to Ghana, he will be accommodated in a hotel.”