Ghana Football Association Part Ways With Head Coach Otto Addo Ahead of World Cup
Sports Updated: 31 March 2026 16:03 EAT
Ghana part ways with head coach Otto Addo two months before the 2026 World Cup.
The Ghana Football Association has officially relieved Otto Addo of his duties as head coach of the Ghana national football team, just 72 days before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the GFA confirmed that Addo’s contract has been terminated with immediate effect. The association thanked him sincerely for his contribution to the team and wished him well in future endeavours.
The decision came in the wake of a difficult international break for Ghana, with the Black Stars suffering successive defeats, including a 5‑1 loss to Austria and a 2‑1 defeat to Germany.
Those results extended a run of poor performances, with the Black Stars losing four friendlies in a row, intensifying pressure on Addo’s position as the national team prepared to compete on football’s biggest stage.
Addo, 50, was in his second spell as Ghana coach, having been reappointed in March 2024 after a previous tenure that included leading Ghana at the 2022 World Cup.
Despite securing qualification for the 2026 World Cup, the team’s inconsistent form and disappointing results in recent matches reportedly influenced the GFA’s decision to move in a different direction.
Following the announcement of Addo’s dismissal, the GFA has begun the search for a new head coach, with several potential candidates, including former Black Stars boss Kwesi Appiah, linked to the vacancy.
The sacking has drawn reactions from across Ghana’s football community, with political and sports figures publicly supporting the move as necessary ahead of the World Cup.
The Black Stars are due to play warm‑up matches ahead of their World Cup campaign, including friendlies scheduled in May against Mexico, adding urgency to the GFA’s coaching appointment.
As the federation seeks a successor, Ghana’s preparations continue amid heightened scrutiny and expectations for improved performances at the global tournament.
Otto Addo reportedly requested a meeting with the top hierarchy of the GFA after the Austria friendly, but the request was declined.
He was said to be very surprised when informed that he had been fired immediately following the Austria game.
The GFA had previously considered firing Addo after Ghana failed to qualify for the last AFCON but chose to give him more time to stabilize the team.
With the World Cup approaching, the federation is now in a frantic search for a coach who can lead the Black Stars in their upcoming fixtures and tournament preparations.
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