FIFA Rankings: Ghana Back in Top 20

Ghana climbed nine positions in the monthly FIFA World Ranking for national teams, advancing from 28th to 19th.

Despite not playing any matches since the latest edition, the Black Stars moved to second position continentally.

Ghana gained 98 Points as losses against Kenya (1-3) and Nigeria (1-3) in June and May of 2003 respectively were not considered any longer in the rankings.

Ghana moved into the top 20 in March but slipped following the defeat to Brazil.

Meanwhile, world champions Italy remained in charge of the table, France climb to second place (up 2) at the expense of Brazil (3rd, down 1). Argentina (5th, down 2) fall two spots, while Germany bask in their highest position in more than four years (4th, up 1).

Other countries breaking into the top 20 were the United States, Sweden and the Ivory Coast. Their fortunes contrasted with Turkey, Scotland, Russia and Mexico, all of which fell several places.

The biggest move came from Congo DR who climbed 23 spots to lie 61st, while the biggest lost came from Asian minnows Mongolia who dropped 11 places to 196th.

Italy (1st), Cameroon (13th), Brazil (2nd), Mexico (20th), Iran (41st) and New Zealand (127th) all lead their respective continents.

FIFA's top 20 (last month's position in parentheses)
1-Italy (1)
2-France (4)
3-Brazil (2)
4-Germany (5)
5-Argentina (3)
6-Portugal (7)
7-Spain (9)
8-England (8)
9-Netherlands (6)
10-Czech Republic (10)
11-Croatia (12)
12-Romania (15)
13-Ukraine (11)
14-Cameroon (13)
15-Greece (16)
16-USA (29)
17-Sweden (22)
18-Poland (18)
19-Ghana (28)
20-Ivory Coast