Tunisia have overtaken Egypt as the highest ranked African team

Tunisia have overtaken Egypt as the highest ranked African team after rising three places from 31st to 28th. Egypt, after securing a place at their first World Cup since 1990, remain 30th.

The Pharaohs sealed their World Cup ticket with one match to spare in Group E after beating Congo 2-1 in a dramatic clash in Alexandria on 8 October, thanks to a brace from star winger Mohamed Salah including a stoppage-time penalty.

Egypt lost their lead among the African countries, placing second in the continental ranking behind Tunisia (28) and over Senegal (32) Democratic Republic of the Congo (35) and Nigeria (41).

They have also lost their lead among Arab countries to Tunisia (28), but they maintain their position above Morocco (48), Saudi Arabia (63) and Algeria (67).

The Pharaohs, who were ranked in the global top ten in 2010 during their golden era after three successive Africa Cup of Nations wins (2006, 2008 and 2010), will play Ghana on 12 November away from home in the final round of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

Egypt is now in the third class of the global rankings after placing 30th. This will help in the 2018 World Cup draw if they keep the same position next month, since one of the other teams in their group will be from the fourth class.

FIFA will hold the draw for the 2018 World Cup in December after finishing the final round of the qualifiers.

Germany remain top of the latest FIFA World Rankings, with the October update taking into account the latest round of World Cup qualifiers and friendlies that have played out around the planet at international level over the course of the last month.

Overall, there have been no changes to the top six at all, with Brazil, Portugal, Argentina, Belgium, and Poland all staying firm between 2nd and 6th.

Iran remain the highest ranked nation in Asia even after falling nine places to 34th.

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