Fifa has confirmed it will hold the
election to determine Sepp Blatter's
successor at a special congress on
26 February 2016 The race to succeed Fifa
president Sepp Blatter reached
a crucial stage on Monday. Candidates had until 23:00 GMT to
submit the relevant paperwork -
together with letters of support from
five football associations. World football's governing body has
confirmed it will hold the election to
determine Blatter's successor at a
special congress on 26 February
2016. BBC Sport takes a look at the seven
candidates in the running. Gianni Infantino Age: 45 Nationality: Italian/Swiss Years in game: 15 Current Position: Uefa general secretary (since 2009) Previous positions: Joined Uefa in 2000 as a lawyer and secretary
general of the International Centre
for Sports Studies (CIES) at the
University of Neuchâtel What he says: "My manifesto will be based on the need for reform and
also for a Fifa that genuinely serves
the interests of all 209 national
associations, big or small, and that
puts football and football
development at the top of its agenda." Tokyo Sexwale Age: 62 Nationality: South African Years in game: Seven Current Position: Mining tycoon Previous Positions: Anti-apartheid campaigner (jailed for 13 years on
Robben Island), former government
minister, member of Fifa anti-
discrimination task force, South
Africa Apprentice presenter. What he says: Speaking in 2011 following South Africa World Cup in
2010: "It was a great moment to see
Fifa with us [at the World Cup] but
also to see the world assemble in
South Africa, the different colours of
the rainbow of mankind and send the message across the world that Fifa
is a unifying force." Full profile Prince Ali bin al-Hussein Age: 39 Nationality: Jordanian Years in game: 16 Current Position: President of Jordan Football Association and
founder and president of the West
Asian Football Federation. Previous positions: Former Fifa vice-president. What he says: "The world game deserves a world-class governing
body - an international federation
that is a service organisation and a
model of ethics, transparency and
good governance." Full profile Musa Bility Age: 48 Nationality: Liberian Years in game: Five Current Position: President, Liberian FA Previous Positions: He is also a businessman, running Srimex Oil
and Gas Enterprise, the largest
importer of petroleum in Liberia. What he says: "We all agree that football is facing a difficult moment
and it is in difficult moments that
great leaders emerge." Michel Platini Age: 60 Nationality: French Years in game: 43 Current Position: Uefa president (since 2007) and Fifa vice-president Previous Positions: Played for Nancy, Saint-Etienne and Juventus.
Captained France to victory in the
1984 European Championship.
Coached France between 1988 and
1992. From 1992 to 1998, he was
co-president of the Fifa World Cup Organising Committee, and vice-
president of the French Football
Federation from 2000. Since 2002,
Platini has been a member of the
executive committee of world
football's governing body. What he says: "I am counting on your support and our common love
of football so that, together, we can
give the tens of millions of football
fans the Fifa that they want: a Fifa
that is exemplary, united and shows
solidarity, a Fifa that is respected, liked and of the people." Platini is serving a 90-day
suspension from all football
activity by Fifa, while corruption
claims are investigated. Fifa's
electoral committee says it may
allow him to stand if his suspension ends before the
election date. Full profile Jerome Champagne Age: 57 Nationality: French Years in game: 17 Current position: Consultant in international football Previous position: A former diplomat, he worked for Fifa for 11
years as an executive and an
advisor to president Sepp Blatter,
before leaving in 2010 What he says: "At a time when Fifa needs more than ever an open
debate about its future, its reform
and the reform of football, we are
witnessing the first months of the
electoral campaign being dominated
by controversy and deals made behind closed doors." Sheikh Salman bin
Ebrahim al-Khalifa Age: 49 Nationality: Bahraini Years in game: 17 Current position: Asian Football Confederation president and Fifa
vice-president Previous position: Former head of Bahrain FA What he says: "I'm not looking to be an executive president. I think we
have to bring the right people in, we
have to bring the professionals to do
the job.