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 (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at@AO_Sportsand on Facebook atAhramOnlineSports.) http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/91725.aspx
