CAIRO: Egypt jumped seven places in the monthly FIFA Ranking for national teams to lie 23rd, their highest position so far this year.

The African champions beat DR Congo 2-1 in their first 2010 World Cup qualifier last weekend as they prepare to take on Djibouti on Friday.

Egypt come third in the continental raking, 10 places behind Cameroon and seven adrift of Ghana.

Among the top 50, Egypt are second-best movers after Australia, who jumped eight spots to occupy 35th place.

The top 10 witnessed a slight change as England replaced Portugal in ninth.