NEW YORK: The United States Soccer Federation has said it has received eight nomination to succeed Sunil Gulati as president at the election on February 10.

The eight include three former internationals in Paul Caligiuri, Eric Wynalda and Kyle Martino as well vice-president Carlos Cordeiro. Also in the race is Women’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper Hope Solo.

Other candidates’ identities remain unknown as yet.

A USSF statement said: “The nomination and governance committee of USSoccer will not publish the names of the candidates until the background check has been completed.”

Gulati, one of the pioneers of the modern US game,  came under critical fire after Team USA failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia after losing their last tie to Trinidad & Tobago.

The 58-year-old economics lecturer had led the US game since 2006 while rising within the world federation FIFA to become a member of the governing council.

Gulati has indicated he wishes to continue on the FIFA Council as a representative of the central and north American confederation and it is expected that he would remain head of the joint bid from the US, Canada and Mexico for the 2026 World Cup.

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