Seven FIFA presidential hopefuls ready to take over from Sepp Blatter

Seven candidates are now lined up to take over at FIFA from Sepp Blatter, whose 18 years as president are ending with world soccer's governing body entangled in a scandal over pervasive corruption.

FIFA confirmed seven candidates had registered by Monday's deadline, with candidates from Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

One potential candidate, David Nakhid, was forced out today when his registration was ruled invalid.

Another, South Korean Chung Mong-Joon, pulled out on Monday because he had been banned from soccer for six years.

Meanwhile, Michel Platini's candidacy is in doubt.

Platini, who is the head of European soccer's governing body, UEFA, is also currently suspended for 90 days, along with Blatter.

The other registered candidates are Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa of Bahrein, Frenchman Jerome Champagne, Swiss Gianni Infantino, Liberian Musa Bility and South Africa's Tokyo Sexwale.

The election will be held on February 26, 2016. 

The US Department of Justice has indicted 14 soccer officials and sports marketing executives on a series of corruption charges.

Swiss authorities are also investigating the decision to award the 2018 and 2022 World Cup tournaments to Russia and Qatar.