Carlos Queiroz has identified the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign as the starting point for Ghana’s plans to build a team capable of reaching the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The Portuguese tactician, who guided the Black Stars at the 2026 World Cup, has returned to the national team for another spell after initially seeing his short-term contract expire following the tournament.
Rather than focusing solely on the immediate AFCON qualifiers, Queiroz wants Ghana to use the period to develop a strong foundation for the next World Cup cycle.
“Step by step, we have to plant the seeds of rebuilding or, in another word, build a strong team, a capable team that will be able to qualify and compete in the World Cup 2030,” Queiroz said.
The coach’s approach comes as Ghana prepares for a new phase, with the 2027 AFCON qualifiers providing an opportunity to assess players and establish a reliable core for the future.
However, preparations have been affected by a number of player absences. Mohammed Kudus has remained out of the squad as he continues his recovery, while Thomas Partey was left out after suffering a hamstring injury.
Lorient defender Nathaniel Adjei has also pulled out of the squad because of injury, further reducing Queiroz’s options ahead of the opening fixture.
Ghana will begin their qualifying campaign against Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké on Thursday before returning home to face The Gambia in Accra on September 29.
For Queiroz, the immediate results will form part of a broader rebuilding project aimed at creating sufficient depth and quality within the Black Stars to compete at the highest level and ultimately challenge for qualification to the 2030 World Cup.