Former Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan has urged Ghanaians to rally behind new Black Stars coach Carlos Queiroz as the national team prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The former striker stressed the importance of unity, patience, and strong defensive organisation if Ghana are to enjoy a successful campaign at the tournament.
Gyan acknowledged that Queiroz faces a difficult challenge, particularly because of the limited time available to prepare the squad before the Mundial begins.
Despite the short preparation period, the ex-Black Stars skipper believes the Portuguese tactician deserves the full backing of supporters as he works to rebuild confidence within the team.
“We have a coach whose time is limited. We have to give him the hope and support to qualify,” Gyan said.
The former Sunderland and Al Ain forward also highlighted Ghana’s defensive struggles as a major concern ahead of the competition.
While praising the team’s attacking qualities, Gyan warned that the Black Stars have been conceding too many goals and must improve defensively to compete against top nations.
“We should be more defensively sound not to concede before we can think about other things. If we don't fix our defence, opponents can penetrate easily because it looks like now we are conceding in every game,” he told 3Sports.
Gyan pointed to Morocco’s historic run to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup and Ghana’s memorable 2010 campaign as examples of how defensive discipline can help African teams succeed on the global stage.
According to him, a more organised backline could significantly improve Ghana’s chances against elite opposition.
“If we are able to be more defensively sound, like what the Moroccans did in Qatar and what we did in 2010, I think it is something that will help. I'm not the coach, but that's my advice,” he added.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, expectations remain high as Ghana aim to make a strong impression on their fifth appearance at football’s biggest tournament.
