
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 fallen four positions in the FIFA global rankings announced Thursday, 4 June, to be the world's 55th national team.
Out of action since November having failed to qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt is kicking off a bid in Group G of the Gabon 2017 championship qualifiers with a home match against Tanzania 14 June. Nigeria and Chad are in the same group.
Tanzania lost a full 20 places this month, down to 127 in the world rankings. Nigeria climbed two places to 43rd globally and 7th continentally, while Chad also lost 20 places, down to 172nd.
Algeria are still leading the African countries in 21st place, ahead of Ivory Coast (24), Tunisia (29), Ghana (34) and Senegal (36).
The world's top 10 are nearly unchanged, except for France that jumped up two positions to switch their 11th place last month with Switzerland's 9th, while Belgium celebrates being the world's number two as Argentina slipped a position.
World Cup winner Germany is still world number one.
Austria, meanwhile, surged five places to 20th position, while Chile lost three ranks, falling to 19th.
The July rankings will decide seedings for the 2018 World Cup qualifying draw on 25 July in St Petersburg, Russia.
FIFA world ranking (last month's positions in parentheses):
1. Germany (1)
2. Belgium (3)
3. Argentina (2)
4. Colombia (4)
5. Brazil (5)
6. Netherlands (6)
7. Portugal (7)
8. Uruguay (8)
9. France (11)
10. Spain (10)
Top five African teams:
21. Algeria (20)
24. Ivory Coast (23)
29. Tunisia (31)
34. Ghana (26)
36. Senegal (36)
Top five Arab teams:
21. Algeria (20)
29. Tunisia (31)
55. Egypt (51)
73. United Arab Emirates (68)
86. Iraq (86)
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