The German association has become the latest to endorse him on Friday, just a day after he secured the support of France and Turkey.

The German association, the DFB, said that it would endorse Čeferin at the 14 September UEFA congress in Athens, Greece, following a unanimous decision by the association's supervisory board.

Yesterday, Čeferin was endorsed by France, whose association, the FFF, said his candidacy was an opportunity to strengthen UEFA's development, innovativeness and activities for the common good of European football.

Turkey also endorsed him yesterday, joining the growing ranks of football nations opting for the Slovenian. He has previously received the backing of Cyprus, Ireland and the majority of eastern European associations.

Čeferin faces the Dutchman Michael van Praag and the Spaniard Angel Maria Villar Llona in the 14 September vote.

Later in the day, the FIFA international football federation said that all three candidates met its criteria for top football offices. It said they had all passed its "eligibility check".

In his election programme released earlier this month, Čeferin pledged to make UEFA the best sports organisation in the world which will strike "a balance between the various stakeholders and levels of football in Europe".

The 48-year-old Čeferin, who has worked for over two decades in the law firm established by his father Peter Čeferin, became the president of the Slovenian Football Association in 2011.

FIFA's clearance of all three candidates