Sepp Blatter and his opponent in the FIFA presidential election race Issa Hayatou were both full of optimism before the start of FIFA's 53rd ordinary congress at the Seoul Hilton on Wednesday.
Blatter, facing a court case and critics who accuse him of leading soccer's governing body into financial crisis, is running for a second term of office and said he was confident of victory.
"I am very confident that I will be given a second mandate because more than 100 associations asked me to stand for re-election," Blatter told reporters on Tuesday.
Hayatou also said he was optimistic and was involved in meetings with African and European delegates until the early hours of the morning.
"I believe I have enough votes to win," he said, "I hope so."
Hayatou also told television reporters that he believed he could have as much as 95 percent African backing.
Blatter, opening the congress, said those delegates who were unable to speak in Tuesday's debate on FIFA finances, could speak before the vote for the presidency was held.
He also said that David Will, the chairman of the internal audit committee, set up to examine the state of FIFA's finances, would be able to address delegates. Blatter prevented him from taking the floor on Tuesday.
Depending on how long that takes and how many delegates are allowed to take the floor will determine when the actual vote for the presidency is taken. Blatter said it would be the last item on the agenda.
IN CRISIS
The first speaker on Wednesday was Chung Mong-joon, the chairman of the Korean Football Association who told the delegates that FIFA was in crisis and the real issues threatening FIFA would not disappear with the election.
"FIFA is seriously divided, we now have a serious organisational crisis and our pride is damaged.
"The concerned members of the executive committee tried to clarify all these problems through the internal audit, which was suspended by the president in March and he has not provided an explanation why.
"Can we really transform ourselves, can we really transform FIFA to win back the respect of football fans worldwide. I hope we all realise how important this congress is for the future of world football," he said.
"Thank you, Dr Chung for that very unique welcome address," said Blatter.
