The sole remaining challenger to Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency has promised to increase the number of World Cup finals places from 32 to 36 in time for the 2018 World Cup if he wins next week’s election.

Prince Ali Bin al Hussein also pledged every association will receive at least one million dollars a year – both his promises can be seen as a direct attempt to target Blatter’s biggest area of support in Asia and Africa.

The prince was left as the only rival to Blatter after Dutch FA president Michael van Praag and former Portugal international Luis Figo pulled out of the race – Van Praag formally endorsed Prince Ali while Figo issued a scathing statement attacking FIFA for incidents in the campaign he said “shamed” the organisation.

Blatter, 79, remains the overwhelming favourite to win a fifth term of office but Prince Ali has issued a revised manifesto targeting wavering associations.

Prince Ali’s new manifesto states: “A commitment to extend the number of countries participating in the World Cup from 32 to 36 teams as soon as possible, with a view to further, development-led expansion to be considered thereafter. I am committed to exploring all options to enable this expansion urgently, ideally in time for the 2018 World Cup.”

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