AMSTERDAM (AP) -- FIFA presidential candidate Michael van Praag withdrew from the May 29 election against Sepp Blatter on Thursday, switching his support to FIFA vice president Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan.
The Dutch soccer federation president said in a statement he will explain his decision at a news conference later Thursday.
Former Portugal great Luis Figo remains the third candidate in the election.
Blatter is strongly favored to extend his 17-year reign with a fifth term when the 209 national federations vote next week. Blatter has pledges of support from most voters in five of FIFA's six continental confederations.