FIFA World Rankings, February 2010: African Champions Move into Top 10

FIFA have today released the latest update for their World Rankings with all major movement being generated by the recent African Cup of Nations in Angola.

2010 Champions Egypt claimed their third successive continental crown and have moved up to 10th in the rankings as a consequence.

This represents the Pharaohs' best ever placing in the FIFA rankings since they were established in 1993 and the second highest ever placing for an African side (Nigeria hold this record, reaching fifth place in 1994).

Beaten finalists Ghana move up seven places to 27th, their highest placing in just over a year, and Nigeria also rise seven places to 15th.

Ivory Coast pay the price for a disappointing quarterfinal exit by dropping out of the top 20.

Algeria also experience a fall in the rankings despite reaching the semifinals of the tournament as they drop five places to 31st, making them the sixth highest ranked African nation at present. Their drop can be attributed to only winning one of their six tournament games in regulation time.

Elsewhere, Gabon have risen four places to 44th after an impressive group stage victory over Cameroon, whilst Zambia climb 11 positions to 73rd after reaching the quarterfinal stage.

Malawi also receive a huge boost, going up 17 places to 82nd, on the back of their impressive 3-0 opening win over Algeria.

Key friendly fixtures coming up next month will see African champions Egypt travel to England to face the Three Lions at Wembley whilst European champions Spain will take on France in Paris.

Meanwhile Confederations Cup champions Brazil will be taking on the Republic of Ireland, also in London.

FIFA World Rankings, Top 20, February 2010

(movements from the November rankings in parenthesis)

1.  Spain (-)

2.  Brazil (-)

3.  Netherlands (-)

4.  Italy (-)

5.  Portugal (-)

6.  Germany (-)

7.  France (-)

8.  Argentina (-)

9.  England (-)

10. Egypt (+14)

11. Croatia (-1)

12. Greece (+1)

13. Russia (-1)

14. USA (-)

15. Nigeria (+7)

16. Chile (-1)

17. Mexico (-)

18. Switzerland (-)

19. Serbia (-)

20. Cameroon (-9)