Egypt s out-of-action national football team have dropped one position in this month s FIFA global rankings, down to 44th place.
The Pharaohs are fifth among African countries, behind unchanged places Tunisia (23), Senegal (27), Congo DR (39) and Morocco (42). They are third among Arab countries, after Tunisia and Morocco.
Egypt s national team, who have been out of action since their qualification for the World Cup in November, will play European champions Portugal on 23 March before meeting Greece four days later as part of a training camp in Switzerland.
Egypt, who are paired with Saudi Arabia, hosts Russia and South American powerhouse Uruguay in Group A in this year s World Cup, have previously announced that they would face Belgium in Brussels on 6 June in their last match before heading to Russia to make their first World Cup appearance in 28 years.
Egypt made it into the world s top ten when they won three successive CAN trophies in 2006, 2008 and 2010.
There were no major changes to this month s top ten; Germany remained on top, ahead of Brazil and Portugal.
The best movers this month are Andorra, who jumped up seven places to 130, while the worst movers were Azerbaijan (127).
FIFA world rankings (February positions in parentheses)
1. Germany (1)
2. Brazil (2)
3. Portugal (3)
4. Argentina (4)
5. Belgium (5)
6. Poland (7)
7. Spain (6)
8. Switzerland (8)
9. France (9)
10. Chile (10)
Top 10 African teams:
23. Tunisia (23)
27. Senegal (27)
39. DR Congo (39)
42. Morocco (42)
44. Egypt (43)
51. Cameroon (51)
52. Nigeria (52)
54. Ghana (54)
56. Burkina Faso (57)
60. Algeria (60)
Top five Arab teams:
23. Tunisia (23)
42. Morocco (42)
44. Egypt (43)
60. Algeria (60)
59. Saudi Arabia (64)
