Egypt ended the year of 2010 in their best-ever FIFA ranking after moving one place up to lie ninth. An impressive 3-0 defeat of Australia was the only action for Egypt since last month's edition, which saw the African champions taking 10th place. The Pharaohs are the only team among the top nine nations not to have participated in the 2010 World Cup South Africa. Ghana came in 16th place, while Ivory Coast slipped to 21st as Nigeria finished the year in 32nd place. World champions Spain remain in charge of the table, while runners-up Holland come second.