Black Stars of Ghana have dropped a single spot in the first FIFA rankings of the year to 52nd in the world and 8th in Africa.Â
The changes in the FIFA rankings have been brought about by the Asian continent participating in the Asia Cup back in January that was clinched by Qatar.
No other confederation took part in international games leaving the top 20 ranked teams unchanged.
The success in the Asian Cup means that Qatar are the biggest movers in the latest rankings having scaled 38 positions to 55th globally.
Further down the table, Qatar aren’t the only team to have ascended in spectacular style. Fellow finalists Japan (27th, up 23) have also soared up the order, while Korea Republic (38th, up 15), United Arab Emirates (67th, up 12) and Jordan (97th, up 12) all registered double-digit gains.
Read also:Â FIFA Ranking: Ghana stagnate, ending 2018 at No. 6 in Africa
Ghana next face Kenya in the final game of the African Cup of Nations qualifiers on Friday, March 22 with both teams having already sealed qualification to the continental showpiece.
FIFA Ranking:Â 1.Belgium
2.France
3.Brazil
4.Croatia
5.England
6.Portugal
7.Uruguay
8.Switzerland
9.Spain
10.Denmark
Africa 1.Senegal(24)
2.Tunisia (28)
3.Morocco(43)
4.Nigeria(46)
5.Congo DR(51)Â
6.Ghana(52)
7.Cameroon(56)
8.Egypt(57)
9.Burkina Faso(62)
10.Mali (65)]