The man who will replace Sepp Blatter as the head of world football will be revealed in Zurich on February 26 but you can expect more twists and turns before the end of this contest.
Blatter, who has been in charge of Fifa since 1998, stunned the world when he laid down his mandate on June 2 - just days after winning a fifth successive term in office.
Now, as he serves a 90-day suspension handed out by the Fifa ethics committee, Blatter can only watch on from the sidelines as he attempts to clear his name after being accused by the office of the Swiss attorney general of signing a contract which was "unfavourable" to the organisation and making a "disloyal payment" in 2011.
Also out in the cold, for the moment at least, is Michel Platini, the Uefa president, who is accused of receiving that "disloyal payment" from Blatter which was reportedly worth around £1.3 million. Both men have denied any wrongdoing.
Each candidate requires five nominations from different football associations and the blessing of the Fifa electoral committee, which conducts an integrity test to ensure each of them is fit to take part.
So with the cards on the table it's time to find out who will stick and who will twist.
SHEIKH SALMAN BIN EBRAHIM KHALIFA
He might have left it late to throw his hat into the ring but Sheikh Salman is a serious player in this contest - despite ongoing criticism from human rights groups who claim he should be tried for "crimes against humanity".
The 49-year-old Bahraini royal has been heavily criticised for allegedly suppressing pro-democracy demonstrations in his home country back in 2011. He denies all the allegations against him.
Head of the Asian Football Confederation since 2013 and a FIFA vice president, he said that he had decided to run "out of a wish to put the international organisation back on the right track and in response to calls by many members of the football community." Salman had previously backed Platini but is now expected to challenge with the AFC giving him "overwhelming support".
MICHEL PLATINI
He may be suspended but Platini could yet have a shot at the presidency depending on what happens when his ban ends on January 5. The Uefa president, who is currently suspended over investigations into a £1.3 million payment received from Fifa in 2011 without a written contract, will not have his candidature assessed by Fifa's electoral committee until after his suspension has finished.
Platini, who denies any allegations of wrongdoing, could be a force to be reckoned with if successful in clearing his name. For now, though, he can only sit and wait before the ethics committee either exonerates him of wrongdoing or hands out further sanctions.
GIANNI INFANTINO
He's the man best known for fronting the Champions League draw but could Infantino soon be the new face of Fifa? He declared his intention to stand yesterday and has received the backing of Uefa.
The Swiss-born lawyer is highly regarded within the world of sports politics and could garner a number of votes from across the associations. He has worked as secretary general of the European governing body for the past six years alongside Platini but could now move above the Frenchman.
With all eyes on the Fifa ethics committee and Platini's case, it remains to be seen what Infantino will do if his boss is cleared of all wrongdoing. If Platini is successful, some predict that Infantino will step aside and allow the Frenchman to challenge without any hindrance.
TOKYO SEXWALE
Not to be underestimated, Sexwale, the 62-year-old South African, could yet spring a surprise. The anti-apartheid campaigner, who was once jailed alongside Nelson Mandela, served 13 years of a 19-year sentence on Robben Island on terrorism charges.
A Fifa anti-racism adviser, Sexwale has mediated between the Israeli and Palestinian Football Associations and was also part of the organising committee for the 2010 World Cup, which took place in his home country. He enjoys respect within football circles while his success in the world of business has not gone unnoticed. He is estimated to be worth $200m with financial interests in the mining and energy sectors.
PRINCE ALI BIN AL-HUSSEIN
The Jordanian prince did better than most expected in May's election where he took 73 votes off Blatter before conceding defeat. He is viewed as a moderniser and has done great work for the women's game in particular. He played a vital role in securing Jordan's hosting of the 2016 under-17 Women's World Cup, and also led a successful campaign to lift the ban on female Islamic players wearing heardscarves during competition.
A Fifa vice-president for Asia since 2011, the 39-year-old may be hampered by the presence of Shaikh Salman with most Asian confederations expected to back the man from Bahrain.
JEROME CHAMPAGNE
The former French diplomat is hoping it will be second time lucky after failing to get the required nominations to stand in the previous election.
Champagne, 57, knows Fifa inside out having spent 11 years working for the organisation between 1999 and 2010. He has been outspoken in his determination to wipe out corruption and wrongdoing but may be hampered by his former association with Blatter.
Champagne has said he will publish the salaries and benefits enjoyed by executives at Fifa but it's unlikely that he'll ever get to make good on that promise.
MUSA BILITY
Bility is just the second African to stand for Fifa presidency after Issa Hayatou, who was beaten by Blatter in 2002. Bility, who is president of the Liberian Football Association, claims he received 25 nominations for the presidency.
"I am a very happy man," Bility told BBC Sport. "If we are to change football, then we have to make sure that those have been running Fifa for the last 20-25 years have nothing to do with it."
DAVID NAKHID
A former Trinidad and Tobago international, Nakhid played in Zurich with Grasshoppers but a return to the Swiss city as Fifa president appears unlikely. That has not deterred the 51-year-old, who is based in Lebanon where he runs a football academy.
After a playing career which took in spells in Switzerland, Belgium and Greece, he moved to Lebanon before spending time in Major League Soccer with New England Revolution. He has also played in the United Arab Emirates.
"I'm not Mr. Moneybags," he told the Associated Press. "I have no luxury of being a prince or being with deep pockets but what I do have is a message."
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