Sepp Blatter will be elected for another four years as president of FIFA next month after no challenger to his position stepped forward.

The deadline for nominations has passed with no rival being put forward to stand against Blatter, who has been president of football's world governing body since 1998.

Blatter said: "I wish to thank all of the associations who have demonstrated their trust in me in this way.

"Over the past nine years, I have managed to overcome a range of difficulties and bring about several improvements thanks to their help and to the support of other members of the global football family.

"During my third period of office, football will acquire a more pronounced and extensive social role."

Blatter was nominated by 66 of FIFA's 207 member associations and no challenger has emerged.

He will be sworn in during the FIFA Congress in Zurich on May 31 for a third term in office until 2011.

It is the first time Blatter has not been challenged for the position as the most powerful man in world football.

In 1998, he beat UEFA president Lennart Johansson and four years later easily saw off the challenge of Issa Hayatou after a bitter election battle.