Egypt have remained in 31st place in FIFA's monthly global football rankings, with December's listings released on Thursday. The Pharaohs, who reached the World Cup competition next year for the first time since 1990, have not played in December and have maintained its overall position in the rankings. Egypt is third among African countries, behind Senegal (23) and Tunisia (27). Egypt's national football team, who are paired with Saudi Arabia, hosts Russia and South American powerhouse Uruguay in Group A, will play friendlies against Portugal and Bulgaria in March in preparation for the 2018 World Cup. FIFA's December rankings saw no major position changes in the top 50 places, with Germany still in the lead, ahead of Brazil, Portugal, Argentina and Belgium. Egypt made it into the world's top 10 when they won three successive CAN trophies in 2006, 2008 and 2010. In other highlights from December, Cape Verde Islands was the best mover, jumping 28 places, while Nicaragua fell hardest, dropping 13 places. FIFA world rankings (November positions in parentheses) 1. Germany (1) 2. Brazil (2) 3. Portugal (3) 4. Argentina (4) 5. Belgium (5) 6. Spain (6) 7. Poland (7) 8. Switzerland (8) 9. France (9) 10. Chile (10) Top 10 African teams: 23. Senegal (23) 27. Tunisia (27) 31. Egypt (31) 39. DR Congo (36) 40. Morocco (40) 44. Burkina Faso (44) 45. Cameroon (45) 50. Ghana (51) 51. Nigeria (50) 58. Algeria (64) Top five Arab teams: 27. Tunisia (27) 31. Egypt (31) 40. Morocco (40) 58. Algeria (64) 63. Saudi Arabia (63) (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
