After more than a quarter-century dedicated to the advancement of football around the world, Joseph Sepp Blatter's remarkable career continued when he was elected as the eighth FIFA President in 1998. Mr. Blatter joined FIFA in 1975, setting into motion President Joao Havelange's wide-ranging projects in competition and education. Named FIFA General Secretary in 1981, Mr. Blatter played a leading role in the commercialization of the FIFA World Cup, helping to make it the world's largest sporting event.