The Egyptian national team made it into the top 20 in FIFA's monthly global rankings for March, announced Thursday, climbing three positions since February. The Pharaohs, who were among the top ten in 2010 during their golden era following three successive Africa Cup of Nations wins (2006, 2008 and 2010), are advancing in world rankings after their 2017 tournament achievements. Last month, Egypt finished runners-up at the Africa Cup of Nations, losing to Cameroon 2-1 in the finals. They played six games in the tournament, resulting in a goalless draw with Mali and three 1-0 wins over Uganda, Ghana and Morocco before beating Burkina Faso 4-3 on penalty shoots. The North African country is still leading the continent in rankings, ahead of Senegal (28), Cameroon (32), Burkina Faso (36) and Tunisia (37). Egypt switched places with Iceland to move into the top twenty list, which was nearly unchanged this month with Argentina on top followed by Brazil, Germany, Chile Belgium, France, Colombia, Portugal, Uruguay and Spain. The Pharaohs, who are bidding for their first World Cup since 1990, passed Ecuador and three-time World Cup runners-up Netherlands. Egypt kept their lead among Arab countries, above Tunisia (37), Morocco (49), Algeria (50) and Saudi Arabia (57). Under the helm of Argentinean manager Hector Cuper, Egypt will next meet Tunisia from 5 to 13 June for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The team, who will begin a training camp this month, was drawn alongside Niger, Swaziland, and North African rivals Tunisia, in Group J of the 2019 qualifiers. Egypt's achieved their highest rank in 2010 at ninth place, before sliding to their lowest in 2014 at 60th. FIFA world rankings (January position in parentheses): 1. Argentina (1) 2. Brazil (2) 3. Germany (3) 4. Chile (4) 5. Belgium (5) 6. France (6) 7. Colombia (7) 8. Portugal (8) 9. Uruguay (9) 10. Spain (10) Top 10 African teams: 20. Egypt (23) 28. Senegal (31) 32. Cameroon (33) 36. Burkina Faso (38) 37. Tunisia (36) Top five Arab teams: 20. Egypt (23) 37. Tunisia (36) 49. Morocco (48) 50. Algeria (49) 57. Saudi Arabia (56)
