As FIFA will not count the results of recent friendlies during the coming exceptional global ranking, Egypt have to beat Tanzania in the final round of the 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifiers to keep their place in the first class of the continental ranking, an Egyptian national team official said on Monday.

"We have to beat Tanzania on 4 June to keep our place in the first class of the continental ranking," Egyptian national team assistant coach Mahmoud Fayez told reporters on Monday.

Egypt cancelled a friendly game against DR Congo as it will not impact the team's monthly ranking, deciding to concentrate on the preparations for the official game against Tanzania on 4 June in the final round of the 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The Pharaohs are now in the first class of the continental ranking after placing fifth in the African ranking, helping the Pharaohs for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

More African teams who are contending for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers draw played friendly games last weekend as they believed it would help them in the global ranking, but Egyptian national team assistant coach Mahmoud Fayez dashed these thoughts, confirming the world governing body would not count these friendlies.

Egypt Football Association board member Ihab Lehita confirmed that FIFA sent the EFA an official statement that they will release an exceptional ranking from 8 to 10 June.

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