Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz has once again written his name into the history books, becoming one of the most experienced managers ever to feature at the FIFA World Cup after leading another national team to the tournament in 2026, marking his 6th world cup experience.
The Portuguese tactician, Carlos Queiroz, is widely regarded as one of football’s most travelled and experienced international coaches.
At 73 years old, he is currently in charge of the Ghana national football team at the 2026 World Cup, adding another chapter to a managerial career that spans more than three decades, a record he holds with Carlos Alberto Parreira.
Queiroz first appeared at a FIFA World Cup as a head coach in 2002 when he was in charge of South Africa. He later returned to the tournament with Portugal in 2010, guiding them to the Round of 16, which remains his best performance at a World Cup as a head coach.
His most extensive World Cup involvement, however, has come with Iran. He led the Iranian national team at three consecutive tournaments, 2014 in Brazil, 2018 in Russia, and 2022 in Qatar, establishing himself as one of the few managers in modern football to consistently qualify a single nation for multiple World Cups.
Over the years, Queiroz has built a reputation as a defensive organiser and tactically disciplined coach, often focusing on structure and counter-attacking systems. His approach has helped underdog teams compete strongly against more established football nations.
Born on March 1, 1953, Queiroz was 49 years old when he made his first World Cup appearance with South Africa in 2002. Now at 73, he remains active at the highest level of international football, with an unusually long coaching career at the elite level.
His journey to Ghana is one of the most recent chapters in a long list of national team roles that include Portugal, UAE, Colombia, Egypt, Qatar, and Oman. His appointment by Ghana came shortly before the 2026 tournament, with the Ghana Football Association hoping his vast experience would guide the Black Stars through a competitive group.
Queiroz’s record is often compared with other legendary managers for longevity at the World Cup. While he is not the coach with the most total appearances, he is among the very few to have led multiple countries across several decades of tournaments, making him a unique figure in international football history.
His best World Cup run came in 2010 with Portugal, where his team reached the Round of 16 before being eliminated by Spain, who went on to win the tournament.
As Ghana continues its campaign, Queiroz’s experience remains one of the team’s biggest assets. His tactical discipline and tournament know-how could help the Black Stars push beyond the group stage and potentially replicate or improve upon their historic 2010 quarter-final achievement.
