Black Stars hold their ground in January FIFA Rankings amid AFCON–driven shake-up

Ghana’s Black Stars have started 2026 steady in the latest FIFA Men’s World Rankings, holding onto the same positions they finished 2025 with: 72nd in the world and 14th in Africa.

The January 19 release confirmed that the West African side remains unchanged in both global and continental standings.

Hosts Morocco, despite falling just short in the Africa Cup of Nations final, have risen three spots to eighth, marking their highest-ever ranking.

This is also the first time the Atlas Lions have returned to the top ten since April 1998. Their climb pushed Belgium, Croatia, and Germany down by one place each.

AFCON champions Senegal made a remarkable leap, moving up seven positions to 12th, reflecting their return to continental glory and setting a new personal best in the rankings.

At the top of the world rankings, Spain continues to hold first place, followed by Argentina, France, and England.

The top 20 African nations now stand as follows:

1. Morocco – 8

2. Senegal – 12

3. Nigeria – 26

4. Algeria – 28

5. Egypt – 31

6. Ivory Coast – 37

7. Cameroon – 45

8. Tunisia – 47

9. DR Congo – 48

10. Mali – 54

11. South Africa – 60

12. Burkina Faso – 62

13. Cape Verde – 67

14. Ghana – 72

15. Guinea – 80

16. Gabon – 86

17. Uganda – 88

18. Angola – 89

19. Zambia – 91

20. Benin – 92

Looking ahead, the Black Stars are scheduled to regroup in March for a friendly clash against Germany in Stuttgart.