By Issah Olegor
The senior national football team, the Black Stars, have entered the 2026 football calendar on a steady note, retaining their position in the latest FIFA Men’s World Rankings released on January 19.
The West African side remains 72nd globally and 14th on the African continent, unchanged from where they concluded the 2025 season.
The rankings update comes on the back of an eventful period in international football, dominated by the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and its ripple effects across global standings.
For Ghana, the lack of competitive international fixtures since late 2025 meant there were no ranking points gained or lost, resulting in a static position as the new year begins.
Historically, the Black Stars have experienced fluctuations in FIFA rankings over the past decade, peaking during periods of strong AFCON performances and World Cup qualification campaigns.
However, inconsistent results in recent years have seen Ghana settle in the lower half of Africa’s top 20, with the January standings underlining the need for renewed momentum ahead of upcoming international windows.
While Ghana stood still, several African powerhouses enjoyed significant upward movement.
Hosts Morocco, despite narrowly missing out on lifting the AFCON trophy, climbed three places to eighth in the world— their highest-ever FIFA ranking and a return to the global top ten for the first time since April 1998.
The Atlas Lions’ rise displaced traditional European giants Belgium, Croatia, and Germany by one spot each.
AFCON champions Senegal recorded one of the most notable jumps, surging seven places to 12th globally.
The Teranga Lions’ climb reflects their continental dominance and marks a new personal best in FIFA’s historical rankings, reinforcing their status as Africa’s most in-form national side.
At the summit of world football, Spain continue to lead the global rankings, followed closely by Argentina, France, and England, as Europe and South America maintain a strong grip on the top positions.
Within Africa, the latest top 20 paints a picture of intense competition and shifting hierarchies.
Morocco leads the continent in eighth place globally, followed by Senegal (12th), Nigeria (26th), Algeria (28th), Egypt (31st), and Ivory Coast (37th). Ghana sits 14th in Africa behind sides such as Cameroon, Tunisia, DR Congo, Mali, and Cape Verde, highlighting the increasingly competitive nature of African international football.
Looking ahead, the Black Stars are expected to regroup in March 2026 for a high-profile international friendly against Germany in Stuttgart.
The encounter is anticipated to serve as a critical test for the technical team as they assess squad depth, tactical direction, and readiness for upcoming competitive assignments, including World Cup qualification fixtures.
