UEFA President Michel Platini watches the preliminary draw for the… The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because Platini has not announced his candidacy.
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The BBC has learned that Platini – after receiving indications of support from four continental confederations – will be a candidate when polling takes place on 26 February.
Platini did not oppose Blatter before his re-election in May.
Platini came in for heavy criticism last year when he was voluble in demanding that Blatter should step down but would not stand himself.
The former French star has apparently won support from Europe, Asia, South America and CONCACAF, but UEFA also says he is content with his current position.
Following Qatar’s securing of the World Cup – and the widespread criticism that followed – Platini suggested moving the games to winter months and sharing the tournament with other Gulf countries, despite the proposals never being part of the emirate’s elaborate bid.
Platini, 60, was elected to a third term as UEFA president in March and has said he believes he is the best person to lead world soccer’s governing body. Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan, who lost a vote to Blatter on May 29, and South Korean politician Chung Mong-joon have made public statements about the election in recent days.
Then, Platini was doing double duty as head of the 1998 World Cup organizing committee and as a campaign manager for Blatter. Second-tier matches such as the Europa League final and Super Cup have been sent to Romania, Switzerland, Wales and Georgia.
Candidates for the Federation Internationale de Football Association presidency have until October 26 to be nominated, before running their presidential campaigns ahead of February’s emergency congress meeting.
The 69-year-old D’Hooghe, who has been a member of the powerful cabinet of world football for 27 years, will step down in two years, frustrated by allegations of corruption hanging over FIFA.
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Many close to Platini have wondered whether he really wants the presidency.
