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Potential candidates to replace Blatter as FIFA president

FILE - In this Friday, May 29, 2015, file photo, UEFA president Michel Platini, left, and FIFA senior vice president Issa Hayatou look on during the 65th FIFA Congress held at the Hallenstadion in Zurich, Switzerland. European soccer leader and former French star Michel Platini and Jordan's Prince Ali bin al-Hussein are the likely candidates to succeed Sepp Blatter. But in an election where Africa and Asia hold almost half the votes, Cameroon's Issa Hayatou and others may enter the race. (Patrick B. Kraemer/Keystone via AP, File) FILE - In this Friday, May 29, 2015, file photo, UEFA president Michel Platini, left, and FIFA senior vice president Issa Hayatou look on during the 65th FIFA Congress held at the Hallenstadion in Zurich, Switzerland. European soccer leader and former French star Michel Platini and Jordan's Prince Ali bin al-Hussein are the likely candidates to succeed Sepp Blatter. But in an election where Africa and Asia hold almost half the votes, Cameroon's Issa Hayatou and others may enter the race. (Patrick B. Kraemer/Keystone via AP, File)

By Associated Press June 2, 2015 4 min read

Now that Sepp Blatter says he will be resigning, the race opens to succeed him as FIFA president.

The job has been held by nine men since FIFA’s founding in 1904, but just two over the past four decades: Joao Havelange of Brazil from 1974-98 and Blatter since then.

Blatter announced his decision to resign Tuesday, just four days after he was elected to a fifth four-year term through 2019.

An election is expected to be held by an extraordinary FIFA congress between December and March. The rules call for a vote by secret paper ballot. Africa has 54 votes, Europe 53, Asia 46, North and Central America and the Caribbean 35, Oceania 11 and South America 10.

A look at possible candidates: