The Swiss will announce at the Congress, due to take place on June 10 and 11, he intends to run for another four-year term when elections take place next year.

But he has claimed he will only do so if he gets the backing from the majority of the 209 member associations in attendance.

It is is widely believed, though, that all 54 members of European football's governing body will not unanimously support Blatter when he announces his candidacy, despite the belief that the Swiss will be roundly backed by the rest of the FIFA members.

UEFA is unhappy at the swirl of corruption allegations that have engulfed FIFA in recent months, primarily surrounding the awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar.

It was claimed that football officials were allegedly paid a total of $5 million (£3 million/€3.6 million) to back Qatar's bid by former vice-president of FIFA and head of the Asian Football Confederation, Mohammed Bin Hammam.

The Sunday Times in London also claims money was paid into accounts controlled by the Presidents of 30 African football associations and by Trinidadian Jack Warner, a former vice-President of FIFA.

Qatar 2022 organisers have denied any wrongdoing, claiming that Bin Hammam had no link with the bid.

UEFA President Michel Platini is still to declare whether he will run for the FIFA Presidency, but the general feeling among many observers is that he will not run for the post.

Should Platini decide not to run, it is believed UEFA is exploring the possibility of putting forward Dutch FA President Michael van Praag and the German FA President Wolfgang Niersbach as possible alternative candidates to run against Blatter.

German FA President Wolfgang Niersbach (left) is reportedly being considered as a possible FIFA Presidential candidate should UEFA President Michel Platini (right) not run ©Getty Images



Blatter had initially claimed his current fourth term would be his last after running unopposed in 2011, due to Bin Hammam's withdrawal as a candidate having been accused of offering cash for votes.

But, over recent months, Blatter has repeatedly dropped hints he would consider running for another term, telling Swiss broadcaster RTS that he "wouldn't say no" to a new mandate, provided he was in good health, during the Sochi Winter Olympics in February.

And, in an interview with FIFA.com, the 78-year-old confirmed his intention to run for the position again, claiming he has still got a "mission" to finish.

"I'm not a candidate for the time being because the candidature is not yet open," said the 78-year-old, who has held the position since 1998.

"My mandate will come to an end in one year but my mission is still going on.

"A mission is never finished and I am available to go with this mission.

"I will announce it to the Congress that I am available but it's to the Congress to say yes or no.

"I'm not going there to say: 'I'm yours', no.

"But, in this context, we must have the unity of FIFA and if the unity is going well with the same person then they may express it during this Congress."

Former FIFA deputy secretary general Jérôme Champagne is the only candidate to declare for the FIFA Presidency so far ©AFP/Getty Images



So far, only former FIFA administrator Jérôme Champagne has officially declared his candidacy ahead of the 2015 elections.

But the Frenchman has already made it clear that he will drop out of the running should his former boss choose to run again.

Delegates at the Congress in São Paulo are also set to address other matters, including match-fixing, third-party ownership, the Israel-Palestine impasse and an update by Dominic Scala, chairman of the organisation's Audit and Compliance Committee.

They are also expected to vote on the issue of age limits and terms of office for senior FIFA members.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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