Former Black Stars forward, David Accam, believes the success or failure of Ghana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign could hinge on the new head coach, Carlos Queiroz, insisting the veteran Portuguese must transform a collection of talented individuals into a cohesive team.

As the Black Stars prepare for a daunting Group L challenge against Panama, England and Croatia at the upcoming tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, Accam says the experienced Portuguese tactician must urgently restore cohesion, identity and discipline to a side he believes has become overly dependent on individual brilliance.

The former MLS star did not hold back in his assessment of the national team’s recent performances, arguing that Ghana’s biggest problem was not a lack of talent but the absence of a clear collective identity.

“We have individuals and not a team,” Accam said after featuring for a select side of former Black Stars players against inmates of the Nsawam Prison as part of the Prison Football Project spearheaded by former Ghana Football Association President, Kwesi Nyantakyi.

“Every time I watch them [Black Stars], it is difficult to see them play as a team. It is difficult to identify a style of play or a tactical approach. Most of the time, we rely on individual players to produce something special.”

The comments reflect growing concern over the Black Stars’ inconsistency despite boasting a squad filled with players competing at some of Europe’s highest levels.

For Accam, however, the arrival of Queiroz offers Ghana a crucial opportunity to reset before the World Cup. The 73-year-old Portuguese coach arrives with a wealth of experience gained from managing some of the world’s biggest clubs and national teams and Accam believes that pedigree could prove decisive as Ghana seeks to become competitive again on the global stage.

“Carlos Queiroz is a big coach. He has coached top teams and countries, so I do not think this challenge is too big for him,” Accam said.

“He has the experience. What he needs to do is be firm, stamp his authority on the team and bring something different from what we have seen before.

Hopefully, he can build a solid team that plays as one and fights to win for the country.”

While reluctant to predict how far Ghana can go at the tournament, Accam insists the new technical team must quickly address the shortcomings that have plagued the side in recent years.

“At the moment, we have a new technical team and hopefully they will solve the problems we had before,” he said. “They need to bring cohesion to the team and help the players perform better together.”

Despite his concerns, the former Chicago Fire winger, now operating as a scout for Right to Dream Academy, remains hopeful that the Black Stars can rise to the occasion if the players embrace the demands of the new regime.