
Egypt's soccer team players (Photo: Reuters)
Egypt fell seven positions to 38 in the FIFA global football rankings for February, after placing 31 last month.
The Pharaohs, winners of a record seven African Cup of Nations (CAN) trophies, have not played since they lost 7-3 on aggregate to Ghana in the World Cup playoffs.
Egypt will hold their first training camp of the year on 28 February and play a friendly against Bosnia in Austria on 5 March.
Under new coach Shawky Gharib, who has been hired to replace sacked American manager Bob Bradley, Egypt will face Portugal in London on 25 May as part of their preparations for the African qualifiers that begin in July.
They then travel to Russia for a friendly on 1 June.
Egypt rank fifth among African countries, after Ivory Coast, Algeria, Cape Verde Islands and Ghana.
The Pharaohs made it into the world top 10 after winning three successive African Cup of Nations trophies, in 2006, 2008 and 2010.
Spain leads the FIFA world ranking, ahead of Germany, Argentina, Portugal and Colombia.
Top 10: (January positions in parentheses)
1. Spain (1)
2. Germany (2)
3. Argentina (3)
4. Portugal (5)
5- Colombia (4)
6- Switzerland (8)
7- Uruguay (6)
8- Italy (7)
9- Brazil (10)
10- Netherlands (9)
Top 12 African teams:
23. Ivory Coast
26. Algeria
27. Cape Verde Islands
37. Ghana
38. Egypt
45. Tunisia
46. Cameroon
47. Nigeria
59. Mali
62. Burkina Faso
62. Guinea
64. South Africa
Top 5 Arab teams:
26. Algeria
38. Egypt
45. Tunisia
68. Libya
69. Jordan
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