The presidents of the world’s 209 Football Associations will elect the president of FIFA at the FIFA Congress on 29 May.
With FIFA’s continental “confederations” holding great sway over voting intentions, and with all of these confederations bar UEFA said to be supporting Sepp Blatter, the incumbent president looks set to secure a historic fifth term.
Candidates must state their intention to run for president on 29 January, with the support of five nominating member associations. Are there any serious challengers in the mix?
Nationality: Swiss
Age: 78
Announced campaign: 26 September, 2014
Core message: Says he is on a mission to complete the reform process initiated in 2011
Strengths: FIFA President since 1998, seeking a fifth term. Retains strong support of the majority of FAs outside Europe. Five of FIFA’s six continental Confederations are said to be backing Blatter: AFC (Asia), CAF (Africa), CONCACAF (North and Central America and Carribean), CONMEBOL (South America) and OFC (Oceania).
Challenges: FIFA enduring external pressures and the emergence of Prince Ali of Jordan as a challenger demonstrates that internal discontent is not limited to Europe.
Nationality: French
Age: 56
Announced campaign: 26 September, 2014
Core message: To remove elitism and global imbalance from the administration of football.
Strengths: Says he is close to gaining the five required nominations.
Challenges: Time is running out and a host of other, more outspoken candidates have emerged.
Nationality: Jordanian
Age: 39
Announced campaign: 6 January 2015
Core message: Reform of FIFA, increasing transparency.
Strengths: Experience as vice president of FIFA, president of Jordanian Football Association and president of West Asian Football Federation. Has backing of the English FA. The only challenger to Sepp Blatter from outside Europe.
Challenges: Has yet to confirm whether he has the number of nominations required. His message of reform is echoed by those of other candidates who have since entered the race.
David Ginola
Nationality: French
Age: 48
Announced campaign: 16 January 2015
Core message: To restore democracy, transparency and equality to FIFA
Strengths: Has the support of pressure group ChangeFifa but has yet to declare the support of any FAs.
Challenges: Ginola’s campaign is financially supported by bookmaker Paddy Power, yet FIFA rules prohibit candidates “being associated with betting, gambling, lotteries and similar events”.
Michael van Praag
Nationality: Dutch
Age: 67
Announced campaign: 26 January 2015
Core message: To normalise, modernise FIFA and regain public trust. Presenting himself as the only credible opponent to Blatter.
Support: Has the required five nominations, including support from Scotland.
Challenges: Other European candidates offering a message of reform and transparency could split the vote, if they gain the required nominations. Support outside Europe is limited.
Age: 42
Nationality: Portuguese
Announced campaign: 28 September 2015
Core message: To repair FIFA’s public image.
Support: Has the required 5 nominations.
Challenges: A recently retired footballer, he lacks experience in football administration.
