By Kwame Bediako
Portuguese coach Daniel Gaspar has been appointed goalkeepers’ trainer for the Black Stars ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, joining the technical staff under new head coach Carlos Queiroz.
Gaspar’s move was confirmed by his club, Hartford Athletic, sealing a return to the international stage with the Ghana national team as they prepare for their fifth World Cup appearance.
Reuniting with Queiroz
Gaspar and Queiroz have worked together since 1992, forming one of football’s most enduring coaching partnerships. Their shared history spans clubs and national teams, including spells with the Portugal and South African national teams, Portugal’s youth setups, and the Iran national team, where Gaspar served as assistant and goalkeeping coach from 2011. That period saw Iran qualify for the 2014 World Cup and reach the 2015 AFC Asian Cup.
Extensive goalkeeping‑coach experience
Gaspar has held goalkeeping‑coach roles with the Portuguese senior and youth teams, as well as clubs such as Sporting CP, Nagoya Grampus Eight, NY/NJ MetroStars, and Benfica. He also worked with South Africa and helped shape the Portuguese goalkeeping setup under Luiz Felipe Scolari ahead of the 2004 European Championship. These experiences make him a seasoned presence in high‑pressure tournaments and youth‑development environments.
Recent success with Hartford Athletic
Since joining Hartford Athletic of the USL Championship in 2022, Gaspar has been instrumental in the club’s rise, contributing to two of their most successful seasons in 2024 and 2025. He helped the team win the USL Jägermeister Cup last season and has guided the defence to four clean sheets in seven matches in the ongoing campaign. His track record in stabilising squads and improving goalkeeping performance is expected to translate into sharper shot‑stopping for Ghana’s No.1, Benjamin Asare.
World Cup preparations and Group L
Gaspar’s arrival comes as the Black Stars gear up for Group L, which pits them against England, Croatia, and Panama. Ghana will open the tournament against Panama on June 17, face England on June 23, and meet Croatia on June 27. Queiroz has been charged with getting the team out of the group stage after early exits in 2014 and 2022, with Gaspar’s role seen as vital in tightening the team’s defensive and set‑piece discipline, starting between the posts.
