Egypt has climbed two positions to the 34th place in the June global ranking announced by the international governing body of football FIFA on Wednesday.

Despite recent lapses, the Pharaohs still lead Arab countries while they remain the third in African team ranks after Cote d'Ivoire (14) and Ghana (33).

After a series of disappointing results, the Egyptian National team has continued to fall in rank, having once been in the top ten.

Tactician Hassan Shehata’s squad, who won three successive trophies of the African Cup of Nations, will not be able to defend their title in Guinea and Gabon after being held in the bottom of the group G table of the 2012 edition qualifiers by a goalless draw with South Africa in Cairo.  Shehata, Egypt’s most successful coach, sadly quit his post after the match.

South Africa dropped nine places to be placed 47th while Cote d'Ivoire jumped up seven spots to be the world’s 14th.

Algeria fell ten points to 51 while Tunisia jumped up one to be 57, above Libya (63) who lost five places. Morocco flew ten places to be 63.

World Cup champion Spain stays atop leading World Cup runner-up the Netherlands, with Germany and England rising to third and fourth, respectively.

Brazil fell two to 5th place, followed by Italy, Portugal and Croatia.

FIFA rankings (May position in parentheses):
1. Spain (1).
2. Netherlands (2).
3. Germany (4).
4. England (6).
5. Brazil (3).
6. Italy (9).
7. Portugal (8).
8. Croatia (10).
9. Mexico (28).
10. Argentina (5).

Top 5 African teams:
14. Cote d'Ivoire (21).
33. Ghana (15).
34. Egypt (36).
41. Nigeria (39).
43. Senegal (46).

Top 5 Arab teams:
34. Egypt (36).
51. Algeria (41).
57. Tunisia (61).
63. Morocco (72).
64. Libya (58).