Egypt only Arab nation to make FIFA's top 10

The Egypt national football team has moved up three places in the most recent FIFA World Ranking to number nine – making it the only Arab nation to reach the top 10 since 1998.

Despite not qualifying for the 2010 Fifa World Cup, the current holders of the African Cup of Nations (ACN)  – led by coach Hassan Shehata – are only one of two African teams in the top 25, the second being Ghana at number 23.

Egypt is considered the most successful African team at Confederation level, winning the ACN seven times (1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, and 2010), and is only one of two African, and Arab national teams ever to enter the world top 10. Nigeria was ranked at number five in April 1994, whilst Morocco hit the number 10 spot in April of 1998.

But Egypt's record at the World Cup has so far been disappointing, with only two appearances in the tournament, and no victories. Interestingly, Algeria – the only Arab nation to make it into the final stages of the World Cup held in South Africa this year – only managed the number 33 spot.

In terms of Middle Eastern rankings, the most successful football team to date is Saudi Arabia when it was ranked at number 22 in July 2004.

Meanwhile, the UAE moved up 13 places in this month’s rankings to reach number 88. Its most successful grading came in November 1998 when the team reached number 42.

Unsurprisingly, World Cup winners Spain replaced Brazil at the top of the chart.

Vicente Del Bosque's side climbed one place to the top after beating the Netherlands 1-0 after extra time in Sunday's final in Johannesburg, with quarter-finalists Brazil falling to third.

Uruguay were the biggest climbers in the top 10, rising 10 places to sixth – their highest ever ranking – after their unexpected run to the semi-finals.

New Zealand enjoyed the most significant rise, going up 24 places to 54th after finishing their World Cup campaign unbeaten in spite of the fact they were knocked out at the group stage.

England rose one place to seventh despite crashing out to Germany in the second round, but there was no such good fortune for fellow under-achievers Italy and France.

Defending champions Italy dropped six places to 11th after they were eliminated in the group phase, while France plunged 12 places to 21st following their disastrous campaign.

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