Ghana’s Black Stars have dropped to 70th in the latest FIFA Men’s World Ranking, slipping to 14th in Africa after a disastrous start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and the departure of head coach Carlos Queiroz.

The rankings, released on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, saw Ghana fall five places from 65th to 70th globally after losing 25.73 points, placing the four-time African champions among the biggest losers in the world’s top 100.

The latest setback compounds Ghana’s growing football troubles, with back-to-back defeats in their opening AFCON qualifying matches leaving the team bottom of Group C without a point.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has also confirmed Queiroz’s departure by mutual agreement following a disappointing spell in charge, bringing an abrupt end to his second stint as head coach.

Black Stars Suffer Disastrous AFCON Qualifying Start

Ghana’s decline in the FIFA rankings follows a disastrous September qualifying campaign that began with a 2-0 defeat to Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké.

The Black Stars travelled to face the Elephants without several key players, including Mohammed Kudus, Thomas Partey, Antoine Semenyo and Jordan Ayew. However, the hosts capitalised on their opportunities, with Malick Yalcouyé and Franck Kessié finding the net to secure all three points.

Ghana’s problems deepened in their second fixture against The Gambia in Accra, where the Black Stars suffered a painful 4-2 defeat after surrendering a two-goal advantage.

Ernest Nuamah and Felix Afena-Gyan had put Ghana in a commanding position, raising hopes of a much-needed victory. However, the Gambians responded through Muhammed Badamosi and Omar Colley before Ebrima Colley scored twice to complete a remarkable comeback.

The defeat sparked fresh concerns about Ghana’s defensive organisation, game management and ability to maintain control in crucial moments.

With two defeats from two matches, the Black Stars sit bottom of Group C with zero points, while Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia lead the standings with six points apiece.

Queiroz Departs After Disappointing Spell

The disappointing results have also brought Queiroz’s tenure to an end.

The GFA confirmed that the Portuguese coach had left his position by mutual agreement after recording just one win in seven matches, a run that intensified pressure on the technical team.

His departure leaves Ghana searching for stability at a critical stage of their AFCON qualifying campaign, with the team needing an immediate improvement in performances and results to keep their hopes of reaching Morocco 2027 alive.

The coaching change also raises questions about the direction of the national team following a series of disappointing results that have undermined confidence among supporters.

Another Setback for Ghanaian Football

Ghana’s latest decline comes after the Black Stars missed the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, failing to win a single match during their qualifying campaign.

The failure marked Ghana’s first absence from the continental tournament in 20 years and represented a significant blow to a nation that has won the AFCON title four times.

There had been renewed optimism following Ghana’s reported progress at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. The Black Stars were said to have beaten Panama 1-0, drawn 0-0 with England and reached the Round of 32 before losing 1-0 to Colombia.

However, the disappointing start to the 2027 AFCON qualifiers has quickly dampened expectations, leaving Ghana facing another difficult rebuilding period.

The latest FIFA ranking reflects the damage caused by the team's recent results, with the five-place fall to 70th globally highlighting the challenge facing the next technical team.

Ghana Ranked 14th in Africa

Ghana’s drop to 70th in the world leaves them 14th among African nations in the October 2026 rankings.

Morocco lead the continental standings in seventh place globally, followed by Senegal in 18th. Côte d’Ivoire occupy third place in Africa and 29th in the world, while Nigeria sit fourth on the continent and 30th globally.

For Ghana, the latest position represents a worrying decline for a country with a proud footballing history and a long-standing ambition to compete among Africa’s elite.

The rankings also underline the growing challenge facing the Black Stars as other African nations continue to strengthen their positions on the international stage.

November Fixtures Offer Chance for Redemption

Ghana will have an opportunity to revive their qualifying campaign in November when the AFCON qualifiers resume with back-to-back fixtures against Somalia.

The matches present the Black Stars with a chance to recover lost points, rebuild confidence and improve their standing in Group C.

However, the pressure will be considerable. After losing their opening two matches, Ghana cannot afford further costly setbacks if they are to remain in contention for a place at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Winning both fixtures would provide a much-needed boost, although the team will also need to address the defensive lapses and lapses in concentration that contributed to their defeat against The Gambia.

Anything less than six points would leave Ghana facing an even more difficult qualification battle and increase concerns about the team's long-term direction.

A Defining Moment for the Black Stars

Ghana’s fall to 70th in the FIFA rankings, combined with Queiroz’s departure and another disappointing AFCON qualifying start, marks a difficult moment for the national team.

The immediate priority will be to appoint a new coach capable of restoring discipline, improving performances and rebuilding belief within the squad.

With the November fixtures approaching, the Black Stars have little time to waste. Their response will determine whether they can rescue their AFCON campaign or suffer another major disappointment on the continental stage.

For a nation with Ghana’s footballing pedigree, the task is clear: halt the decline, regain lost ground and restore the Black Stars to the level expected by their supporters.