Carlos Queiroz did not hold back in his comments as he admitted that Colombia, despite all its potential, is far from being an unbeatable team. The Ghana coach, who has previously managed the “cafeteros,” assured that his team is ready to exploit all the weaknesses of their opponent in a decisive clash in the Round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup. The reunion between Queiroz and his former team will take place in the early hours of Saturday, Portuguese time, in Kansas City, in a match that promises high emotions and could determine the future of both teams in the largest football competition on the planet.
The match between Ghana and Colombia is scheduled for Friday night in the United States, with live coverage for Portugal in the early hours of Saturday. Carlos Queiroz, the experienced 73-year-old Portuguese coach, did not hide his respect for the opponent but emphasized that there is no aura of invincibility surrounding the South Americans. “There are no perfect teams, and Colombia is not perfect. It is a great team, but it is not perfect,” stressed the Ghanaian coach, highlighting that he will respect the Colombian style of play, but the objective is to attack precisely where they are most vulnerable.
This matchup takes on even more interesting dimensions due to Carlos Queiroz's recent past with the Colombian national team, which he coached between 2019 and 2020. Despite the speculation, the coach made a point of dispelling any controversy, including disagreements with James Rodríguez, the former FC Porto midfielder and one of Colombia's key figures in recent years. “I enjoyed it very much, and it was an honor,” he stated, recalling the experience of leading the “cafeteros,” also noting that the period coincided with the World Cup qualifying phase for Qatar, a time marked by the restrictions and difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. “It was a very difficult time for everyone,” he added, emphasizing that the exceptional conditions of that cycle did not allow the team to showcase its full potential.
Queiroz also observed that Néstor Lorenzo's Colombia bears similarities to the team he led in the 2019 Copa América, where the national team reached the quarter-finals and was eliminated only on penalties by Chile. “The strategic development that we implemented in the Copa América is very similar to what Colombia is doing here. That’s why I made this comparison. These are the details we need to pay attention to in order to have a good game,” explained the Portuguese coach, highlighting the importance of small tactical details that can be decisive in a knockout match.
The impact of this match is enormous for both teams. For Ghana, a victory over Colombia would not only mean advancing to the knockout stage, but also a demonstration of strength in African football, with Queiroz aiming to replicate the success he has had with other teams in the past. For Colombia, this game is an opportunity for sporting revenge and to solidify the work of Néstor Lorenzo, who has been striving to bring the team back to the international spotlight.
In the lead-up to the match, Queiroz made it clear that Ghana will not abandon its identity, but will adapt whenever possible to surprise Colombia. The Portuguese coach is, in fact, the only Portuguese representative among the 48 coaches present at this World Cup, a feat that has not gone unnoticed in the national football community. His experience and international resume are assets that Ghana can take pride in, and which could make a difference in these do-or-die matches.
O MUNDIAL 2026 VIVE-SE COM A LEGO
After this clash, whoever emerges victorious will need to quickly prepare a strategy for the knockout stage, where the level of difficulty will be even greater. Regardless of the outcome, the expectation is that Carlos Queiroz will continue to make his mark on the World Cup with his unmistakable style: pragmatic, methodical, and always ready to surprise critics. The duel against Colombia promises to be a genuine tactical and emotional battle, with the eyes of the football world focused on Kansas City and the reunion of the Portuguese master with his former team.
AGORA PODE ACOMPANHAR O MUNDIAL DE FUTEBOL COM TODA INFORMAÇÃO – AQUI
Discover more from Apito Final
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://apitofinal.pt/en/nacional-en/carlos-queiroz-acknowledges-weaknesses-in-colombia-before-the-clash-with-ghana/&media=https://apitofinal.pt/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/carlos-queiroz-reconhece-fragilidades-na-colombia-antes-do-duelo-com-o-gana.jpg&description="Carlos Queiroz praises Colombia but highlights its weaknesses. Ghana seeks to exploit these weak points in the decisive clash of the 2026 World Cup."){kind=link}