With no major changes in the table, Egypt gained three places in the FIFA rankings but remains far from the top globally, continentally, and even among Arab countries
Egypt has climbed three positions in the FIFA global rankings published 4 February, to be the world's 55th national team.
The Pharaohs played twice last month in friendly games in Egypt, losing 0-1 for the first time ever to Jordan, on 27 January, two days before defeating neighbours Libya 2-0.
The team was out of action since beating Chad 4-1 on aggregate last November in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, bidding for a place in the most prestigious football tournament.
Egypt also reached the 2017 African Cup of Nations final qualifiers after leading Group G with six points.
Egypt will face Nigeria on 23 and 27 March in the Nations Cup qualifiers.
The seven-time African champions, who missed the last three editions of the Nations Cup, are at the top of their group with six points, two ahead of second placed Nigeria.
Egypt made it into the world's top 10 when they won three successive African Cup of Nations trophies in 2006, 2008 and 2010. They last reached the World Cup in 1990.
Egypt are ninth continentally and fourth among Arab countries after Algeria (36), Tunisia (48) and Saudi Arabia (55).
Despite losing nine positions, Ivory Coast are still leading African countries in 28thplace ahead of Cape Verde (33) and Algeria.
Not a single position changed in the top 20 global ranking except for Ivory Coast who allowed Hungary (19) and Turkey (20) to jump a single position each.
The best mover in the February rankings is Palestine (110), who gained 21 places, while biggest drop was Libya (105), who lost 24 positions.
FIFA world ranking (January position in parentheses):
1. Belgium (1)
2. Argentina (2)
3. Spain (3)
4. Germany (4)
5. Chile (5)
6. Brazil (6)
7. Portugal (7)
8. Colombia (8)
9. England (9)
10. Austria (10)
Top 10 African teams:
28. Ivory Coast (19)
33. Cape Verde (39)
36. Algeria (28)
41. Ghana (33)
45. Senegal (45)
48. Tunisia (40)
54. Congo (48)
55. Egypt (58)
57. DR Congo (60)
61. Guinea (49)
Top five Arab teams:
36. Algeria (28)
48. Tunisia (40)
55. Saudi Arabia (75)
55. Egypt (58)
65. UAE (64)
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