Egypt on Thursday have moved up one place in the FIFA monthly rankings for January to become 30th globally. The Pharaohs, who are out of action since their qualification to the World Cup in November, have maintained their overall rankings. Egypt remained third among African countries, behind Senegal (23rd) and Tunisia - who jumped up four places to become 27th, topping Arab nations ahead of Egypt. No major changes in the January rankings came as the top 10 remained the same with Germany on top ahead of Brazil and Portugal. The best movers this month are Kuwait, who jumped up 15 places to become 174th globally while worst movers are Belize, 171, who lost 13 places. 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. Egypt made it into the world's top 10 when they won three successive CAN trophies in 2006, 2008 and 2010.
FIFA world rankings (December 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. Tunisia (27) 24. Senegal (23) 30. Egypt (31) 39. Morocco (40) 43. DR Congo (39) 44. Burkina Faso (44) 45. Cameroon (45) 50. Ghana (50) 51. Nigeria (51) 57. Algeria (58) Top five Arab teams: 23. Tunisia (27) 30. Egypt (31) 39. Morocco (40) 57. Algeria (85) 65. Saudi Arabia (63) (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
