No major changes in FIFA rankings; Egypt keeps position

Eslam Omar , Thursday 8 Jan 2015

FIFA's top 45 are as they were last month, with Egypt holding on to the 60 spot

Egypt players
Egypt players look on after Tunisia's Fakhreddine Ben Youssef scored during their Africa Cup of Nations group G qualifying soccer match in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014 (Photo: AP)

Egypt is still among the world's top 60 football teams, according to FIFA’s December rankings announced Thursday.

Failing to qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) after losses against Tunisia and Senegal, the Pharaohs have fallen 22 positions since their October ranking.

The Pharaohs have failed to reach Africa's showpiece three times in a row now, the first time it has missed at least two consecutive tournaments since failing to qualify for the 1965 and 1968 CAN.

The seven-time African Champions are ranked 14th in Africa.

Egypt made it into the world's top 10 after winning three successive African Cup of Nations trophies, in 2006, 2008 and 2010.

The team is currently still searching for a replacement for coach Shawky Gharib who was dismissed following his inability to qualify for the 2015 CAN.

December has been a time of little change in rankings as most international teams are out of action ahead of the upcoming continental competitions.

World Cup champions Germany are still atop the list, ahead of Argentina and Colombia. No positions changed in the top 45 but Hungary, Slovenia, Northern Ireland, Turkey and Mali all climbed a single position after Zambia fell four places to the 50 spot.

 

Top 10: (October position in parentheses)
1. Germany
2. Argentina
3. Colombia
4. Belgium
5. Netherlands
6. Brazil
7. Portugal
8. France
9. Spain
10. Uruguay


Top five African teams:
18. Algeria
22. Tunisia
28. Ivory Coast
35. Senegal
37. Ghana

Top five Arab teams:
18. Algeria
22. Tunisia
60. Egypt
78. Libya
80. United Arab Emirates

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