Accra, Jan 19 (IANS): Ghana has moved up three places in the latest FIFA world rankings to occupy the 26th position from last month's 29th, the Ghana Football Association announced here.

The Black Stars, Ghana's national men's senior football team, who are aiming for the 2012 African Nations Cup title, start off the year as Africa's second best side behind Cote d'Ivoire after gaining 18 points to accumulate 779 points.

Algeria is the third with Egypt following in fourth place on the continental ranking table.

World champions Spain still lead the overall standing followed by the Netherlands and Germany in the third position.

India climbed up four places to 158th position tied with neighbours Bangladesh.

The world football governing body expects movement on February's ranking as there will be 32 matches taking place at the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea starting Jan 21.

Ghana were quarterfinalists in the FIFA World Cup held in South Africa in 2010.