Black Queens drop five places to 65th in latest FIFA global rankings

Ghana's senior national women’s team, the Black Queens, have experienced a decline in the latest FIFA Women’s World Rankings, dropping five places to occupy the 65th position globally. This shift follows the team's previous standing at 60th and comes in the wake of a challenging period on the continental stage. The rankings update reflects recent competitive outcomes, primarily the team's exit from the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) held in Morocco.

The downward trend is also evident in the continental standings, where Ghana has slipped from third to fifth place in Africa. The Black Queens have been overtaken by South Africa and Morocco, both of whom showed strong performances in recent tournaments. Nigeria remains the dominant force in African women's football, maintaining the top spot on the continent, while the shifting positions below them highlight the increasing competitiveness of women's football across the region.

Central to this drop was the Black Queens' unexpected quarterfinal exit during the 2026 WAFCON. A loss to Malawi ended their tournament run prematurely and, crucially, blocked their path to direct qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup. This result was a significant blow to the team's ambitions, as they had entered the tournament with high expectations of securing a world-stage appearance.

Looking ahead, the technical team and players are focusing on a path to redemption through the upcoming 2027 Women's World Cup playoff qualifiers. The preliminary phase of these playoffs is scheduled to commence next month, providing an immediate opportunity for the Black Queens to regain momentum. Success in these upcoming fixtures will be vital for improving their global standing and keeping their World Cup aspirations alive.