Meanwhile, Argentina are the new leaders of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking.
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Ghana is now in the top 30 of the latest Federation Internationale de Football Association rankings released on Thursday.
The form of Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and company – Wales have lost only one of their last 11 matches – has seen the nation placed into the top pot of European seeds for the 2018 World Cup qualifying draw in St Petersburg on 25 July.
Northern Ireland’s home draw against the Group F leaders on 13 June left them a point behind the Romanians but still in the second spot which would book them an automatic place in next year’s finals in France.
Romania rose four places to 8th, England six places to ninth and Wales surged 12 positions after their European Championships qualifying win over Belgium to 10th place.
Despite losing the Copa America final, Argentina are top of the rankings moving up from third spot, ahead of Germany and Belgium.
The Socceroos are the fourth-highest ranked team in Asia behind Iran (38), Japan (50) and Korea Republic (52).
Algeria at No. 19 is the only top-20 team from outside Europe and South America.
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Spain slip out of the top 10 and are down to 12th, with Luis Suarez’s Uruguay dropping down five places into 13th.
