Blatter spoke at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Congress in Kuala Lumpur, where he once again fuelled speculation that he would stand for another four years as President.

"This will be the last term of, not of office, the last term of the reform," Blatter said, appearing in jovial mood.

The 77-year-old Swiss, who has held the role since 1998 - gaining re-election on three occasions since he became President - had previously announced his intention to relinquish his role at the end of the four-year term he was elected

In March this year, he claimed that he: "will not carry on [as President of FIFA] as long as there is at least one candidate prepared to continue my work,"

But it now looks likely that the controversial figure will make a bid to gain a fifth term as President.

At the Congress, Blatter also discussed having "a better balance" of which continent teams competing in the World Cup come from.

"We have to start to see the access to the World Cup, the access to the World Cup should be a little bit better balanced," he said.

"In 2014 in Brazil, 32 teams, one has qualified from South America [Brazil as hosts] and then you have 13 teams from one of the continents, which is Europe, and possibly five more from South America,"

"If this happens then you have 19 out of 32, there is no chance to kick them out before one of them is in the semi-finals.

"This is the law of the numbers.

"We shall have a look on this, you should have a look on that and bring such items on the agenda because we should have a better balance."

Sepp Blatter has spoken of how "access" for nations to the World Cup should be more "balanced"

Blatter's ambitious plans to "globalise" football would certainly be further realised with such a move, but the comments are sure to ignite plenty of heated debate between the continental federations.

Newly-elected AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa of Bahrain also called for the notion to be discussed.

"I think this [lack of Asian teams in World Cup] is something that even the president addressed today in our congress and I think it has to be looked at," he said.

"[The 2014 World Cup in Brazil] is very close but we have to look in the future where the interest of Asian teams and national associations is.

"The teams have progressed very well in the last few years and I hope we can earn more slots in the World Cup.

No team from outside of Europe and South America has ever won the World Cup, with European sides lifting the trophy on ten occasions and South American sides winning the other nine. 

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