Black Stars Maintain FIFA Ranking Despite Lack of Activity

Ghana’s senior men’s national football team, the Black Stars, have held steady at 64th place in the latest FIFA Coca-Cola world rankings.

After temporarily rising due to successful FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic in June, the Black Stars saw no further movement in July. Their inactivity, while other nations competed in major tournaments like the European Championship 2024 and Copa America 2024, prevented any additional progress in the rankings.

Globally, Argentina retained their top spot following their Copa America victory, while Spain climbed to third place after winning Euro 2024. On the African continent, Morocco, Senegal, and Egypt are the top three teams, with Ghana currently ranked 12th.

The Black Stars aim to improve their ranking in the coming months as they prepare for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Angola and Niger in September, with the ultimate goal of qualifying for the tournament hosted in Morocco next year.

The global rankings have experienced significant changes due to over 125 international matches played in June and July. Argentina (1st) solidified their dominance by defending their Copa America title, while France (2nd) remains a close challenger. Spain (3rd) rose five places following their European triumph, pushing England (4th) past Brazil (5th), who dropped one spot.

Elsewhere, Belgium (6th) fell outside the top five, with the Netherlands (7th) and Portugal (8th) close behind. Colombia (9th) re-entered the top ten despite a narrow Copa America final loss to Argentina, while Italy (10th) maintained their position.

Several teams made impressive jumps after reaching the quarter-finals of their continental tournaments, including Turkey (26th, up 16) and Venezuela (37th, up 17).

In the Americas, Panama (35th, up 8) and Canada (40th, up 8) showed strong performances on U.S. soil. Oceania celebrated as OFC Men’s Nations Cup winners New Zealand (94th, up 13) returned to the top 100 after a seven-year absence. Other Pacific nations like Fiji (153rd, up 13) and Vanuatu (162nd, up 8) also enjoyed significant climbs in the rankings.

Written by Silas Boahene

Hey sports fans! I'm Silas, your go-to companion for the exhilarating world of sports. As a passionate blogger, I go beyond scores, delving into the personal stories that make each match unforgettable. From heartwarming victories to strategic plays, join me in celebrating the highs, analyzing the lows, and reveling in the beauty of the game.🌟🏆

Published on July 19, 2024