File Photo: 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 has kept its position in the FIFA global football rankings published Thursday, 7 May, remaining in 51st place.
Under new coach Hector Cuper, the Pharaohs played their first game since November on 26 March, defeating Equatorial Guinea 2-0 in a friendly. They are supposed to play another two friendlies as part of their preparations for the 2017 African Cup of Nations (CAN) qualifiers.
The Pharoahs were out of action since they failed to qualify for the 2015 African Cup of Nations, under former coach Shawky Gharib.
The seven-time African Champions have failed to reach Africa's showpiece three times in a row — the first time the national team has missed at least two consecutive tournaments since failing to qualify for the 1965 and 1968 CAN.
They were drawn in Group G of the qualifiers for the 2017 tournament alongside Nigeria, Chad and Tanzania.
Egypt made it into the world's top 10 when they won three successive African Cup of Nations trophies, in 2006, 2008 and 2010.
The Egyptian Football Association appointed Hector Cuper as the new boss of the Egyptian national team ahead of the 2017 African Cup qualifiers, as well as the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
Egypt last reached the World Cup in 1990. The team will start the 2017 African Cup qualifiers in June, and the 2018 World Cup qualifiers in October.
The FIFA world top 10 ranks remained unchanged, with Germany in the lead followed by Argentina and Belgium.
Mexico fell four positions to 22nd while Russia jumped five position to 27th.
Algeria stepped up one position to 20th and kept the African lead ahead of Ivory Coast, 23rd, and Ghana, 26th, while Tunisia lost one position.
FIFA world ranking (April position in parentheses):
1. Germany (1)
2. Argentina (2)
3. Belgium (3)
4. Colombia (4)
5. Brazil (5)
6. Netherlands (6)
7. Portugal (7)
8. Uruguay (8)
9. Switzerland (9)
10. Spain (10)
Top five African teams:
20. Algeria (21)
23. Ivory Coast (23)
26. Ghana (26)
31. Tunisia (30)
36. Senegal (36)
Top five Arab teams:
20. Algeria (21)
31. Tunisia (30)
51. Egypt (51)
68. United Arab Emirates (68)
86. Iraq (86)
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