U.S. confirms support for Ali ahead of FIFA presidential election
The United States Soccer Federation will once again vote for Prince Ali of Jordan during Friday's presidential election in Zurich.
The federation backed Ali during last spring's election, when deposed FIFA president Sepp Blatter won re-election for a fifth term before resigning from the position just days later.
President Sunila Gulati confirmed on Twitter that the United States Soccer Federation will vote for Ali:
.@ussoccer will vote for @AliForFIFA for President of #FIFA
— Sunil Gulati (@sunilgulati) February 25, 2016
Prince Ali thanked the federation moments later:
I am proud to receive the support of @ussoccer, joining my vision for a new, transparent, fair and honest #FIFA that puts football first.
— Ali Al Hussein (@AliBinAlHussein) February 25, 2016
Unlike last year's election, where Ali was the only candidate to challenge Blatter, the Jordan federation president is not viewed as a top-two contender for the position.
President of the Asian Football Federation Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa and UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino appear to be the likeliest to become the world football governing body's ninth president after receiving support from several influential football federations.
Ali saw his hopes of becoming president end without much of a fight during last May's election, as Blatter claimed an overwhelming 133-73 victory.
Last year's runner-up is expected to get fewer votes this time around, as a majority of his European backers last year have chosen Infantino to succeed Blatter.