Egypt's players celebrate after scoring against Zimbabwe during their 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match at Borg El Arab "Army Stadium", west of the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, 230 km (143 miles) north of Cairo, March 26, 2013 (Photo: Reuters)
Egypt have climbed seven positions to number 68 in FIFA's world football ranking for April.
The winners of a record seven African Nations Cup (CAN) trophies, once ranked in the global top ten, fell to their worst positions since the list was established in 1993 during the previous two months.
Egypt's ranking has been affected by a lack of competitive action after failing to qualify for the 2012 and 2013 African Cup of Nations, and the Port Said disaster – during which 72 Ahly fans died at a match with Masry – that lead to the postponement of the domestic league for over one year.
Under former United States manager Bob Bradley, the Pharaohs are bidding for a spot at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. They defeated Zimbabwe 2-1 on 26 March.
They are leading Group G, five points clear of second-placed Guinea, while Mozambique lie third with two points, one ahead of bottom side Zimbabwe.
Five-time World Cup champion Brazil dropped to 19 in the FIFA rankings published on Thursday. The United States moved up five places to 28.
Spain, the current World and European champion, stayed at the top, followed by Germany and Argentina. Croatia and Portugal round out the top five.
Top 10: (March's positions in parentheses)
1. Spain (1)
2. Germany (2)
3. Argentina (3)
4. Croatia (9)
5. Portugal (7)
6. Colombia (6)
7. England (7)
8. Italy (5)
9. Netherlands (8)
10. Ecuador (11)
Top 5 African teams:
12. Ivory Coast (12)
22. Ghana (20)
26. Mali (24)
31. Nigeria (30)
35. Algeria (34)
41. Tunisia (44)
Top 5 Arab teams:
35. Algeria (34)
41. Tunisia (44)
65. Libya (65)
68. Egypt (75)
74. Morocco (77)
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