Dutch FA president Michael van Praag has pulled out of the race for the FIFA presidency and has given his backing to Prince Ali bin Al Hussein.
The decision by Van Praag should concentrate opposition to current president Sepp Blatter, who is the favourite to win a fifth term in office.
Former Portugal international Luis Figo is still in the contest but he too may consider withdrawing in favour of Prince Ali, a FIFA vice-president from Jordan.
A statement from Van Praag's office said: "After thorough deliberation and reflection with different involved parties and stakeholders, Michael van Praag decided to withdraw his candidacy to become the next FIFA president and to join forces with presidential candidate Prince Ali Al Hussein."
Van Praag and Prince Ali will hold a news conference in Amsterdam on Thursday evening to give more details about his decision.
Last week the Dutch FA president was insistent he would stay in the contest to the end despite feelings at UEFA that the biggest challenge to Blatter would come from a single candidate.
Prince Ali, Van Praag and Figo had all been campaigning on a reformist platform. Earlier this month Prince Ali said he would not pull out of the election.
"I will continue the race until the end," Prince Ali said then, adding he had received "supportive and positive responses" from the football federations he had visited and "the warm welcome" his manifesto had received.
