Egypt's out-of-action national football team have dropped 13 positions in this month's FIFA global rankings, down to 43rd place. Egypt are fifth among African countries, behind Tunisia (23), Senegal (27), Congo DR (39), who jumped up four places, and Morocco (42). The Pharaohs, who have been out of action since their qualification for the World Cup in November, are third among Arab countries, after Tunisia and Morocco. There were no major changes to this month's top ten; Germany remained on top, ahead of Brazil and Portugal. The best movers this month are Congo, who jumped up eight places to 88, while the worst movers were Burkina Faso (57) and Egypt. Egypt's national football team, who are paired with Saudi Arabia, hosts Russia and South American powerhouse Uruguay in Group A in this year's World Cup, will play friendlies against Portugal and Bulgaria in March in preparation for the tournament. Egypt made it into the world's top ten when they won three successive CAN trophies in 2006, 2008 and 2010. FIFA world rankings (January 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 (23) 27. Senegal (24) 39. DR Congo (43) 42. Morocco (39) 43. Egypt (30) 51. Cameroon (45) 52. Nigeria (51) 54. Ghana (50) 57. Burkina Faso (44) 60. Algeria (57) Top five Arab teams: 23. Tunisia (23) 42. Morocco (39) 43. Egypt (30) 60. Algeria (57) 64. Saudi Arabia (65) (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
