Ghana has been ranked the World’s 25th best team in the latest edition of FIFA/Coca-Cola world ranking released for this month.

An impressive performance at the World Cup where the Black Stars beat former number two, the Czech Republic and the United States - then ranked as fourth best side, has been rewarded with an improved 23 steps up on the FIFA ranking log.

Ghana, the only African Nation to manage a second round qualification at the World Cup are now ranked 25th from the 48th position held prior to the competition.

The 64 matches played at the World Cup in Germany heavily influenced the July edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking announced Wednesday.

Thanks to their performances at the World Cup, three other big gainers are Switzerland (13th, up 22), the Ukraine (15th, up 30) and Ghana (25th, up 23).

No African side could secure a place in the top ten though Nigeria, Cameroon and the Ivory Coast are among the top 20 sides.

Four-time world champions Italy's latest triumph is also reflected in the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking.

The Azzurri have leaped 11 places to second and are now at the head of the chasing pack behind Brazil, who stay on top.

Argentina are third with France and England all in pursuit.

On the African continent, Ghana are ranked fifth best nation.

Nigeria are still overlords of the African continent with Cameroon placing second.

Ivory Coast, who also secured World Cup qualification are third with Guinea taking the fourth spot.

A new method has been used to calculate this eagerly awaited first World Ranking since the 2006 FIFA World Cup which not only introduces major changes in points allocation and the assessment of the opposition's strength, but also makes such factors as the importance of the match and regional strength easier to understand.

This new formula and the big points hauls gained from World Cup matches has led to a complete shake up in the ranking.

Besides the effect of the World Cup matches, the change in the evaluation period has also led to a major shift.

Now only the last four years (48 months) count, with each year weighted differently.