Egypt Climb 10 Positions In Jan FIFA Rankings

Egypt have advanced 10 positions to reach number 31 in FIFA’s world football ranking for January after placing 41 last month.

The Pharaohs, winners of a record seven African Cup of Nations (CAN) trophies, failed to reach the 2014 World Cup in Brazil after losing 7-3 to Ghana on aggregate.

After terminating the contract of American coach Bob Bradley, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) named Shawqy Gharib to replace him in leading the team.

Egypt rank fourth among African countries, after Ivory Coast, Ghana and Algeria.

The Pharaohs made it into the world’s top 10 after winning three successive African Cup of Nations trophies, in 2006, 2008 and 2010.

Spain leads an unchanged top four, ahead of Germany, Argentina and Colombia. After Portugal, Uruguay is number six, followed by Italy, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Brazil.

Top 10: (December positions in parentheses)

1. Spain (1)

2. Germany (2)

3. Argentina (3)

4. Colombia (4)

5- Portugal (5)

6- Uruguay (6)

7- Italy (7)

8- Switzerland (8)

9- Netherlands (9)

10- Brazil (10)

Top 12 African teams:

17. Ivory Coast

24. Ghana

27. Algeria

31. Egypt

35. Cape Verde Islands

40. Mali

41. Nigeria

44. Tunisia

50. Cameroon

54. South Africa

58. Burkina Faso

61. Guinea

62. Libya

Top 5 Arab teams:

27. Algeria

31. Egypt

44. Tunisia

62. Libya

74. Morocco

Source : Ahram