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Japan FA chief Tashima to challenge Infantino for FIFA presidency
Developing story first seen 5 hours ago
Japan Football Association honorary president Kozo Tashima has announced he will seek FIFA’s presidency in next March’s election, becoming the first Japanese candidate to pursue the role. His challenge adds another potential rival to incumbent Gianni Infantino, who remains the clear favourite among FIFA’s 211 voting members.
Tashima, 68, has served on the FIFA Council since 2015 and led the JFA from 2016 until Tsuneyasu Miyamoto succeeded him in 2024. He has the JFA’s full support but still needs nominations from five national associations, with candidates required to submit them by 18 November; some South-east Asian and European associations may back him. Tashima said he wants to promote values he described as honest, sound and upright, while Infantino has faced opposition over a July proposal involving private investors in a new FIFA commercial entity.
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In short
- Kozo Tashima plans to challenge Gianni Infantino for FIFA president.
- He needs nominations from five national associations by 18 November.
- Infantino remains strongly placed among FIFA’s 211 voting members.
How this story developed
- 2 hours ago Japan Football Association president Kozo Tashima says he will challenge Gianni Infantino for FIFA’s presidency in next March’s election.
- 3 hours ago Japan Football Association honorary president Kozo Tashima has announced he will seek FIFA’s presidency in next March’s election, becoming the first Japanese candidate to pursue the role.
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The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Tashima’s candidacy could give national associations a credible alternative and a chance to debate FIFA’s direction, governance and commercial plans. His supporters may argue that broader competition for the presidency would strengthen accountability and that his experience in Japanese and international football equips him to represent members’ interests.
The case against
Infantino’s supporters may argue that continuity under a clear favourite offers FIFA stable leadership and avoids disruption to its current plans. They could also contend that a rival candidacy should be judged on a concrete programme and ability to secure broad support, rather than on general appeals to integrity or opposition to one commercial proposal.
Explained simply
FIFA is the body that governs international football and organises the men’s and women’s World Cups. Its president leads the organisation and is chosen by representatives of its 211 national football associations.
Kozo Tashima is a senior figure in Japanese football who has served on FIFA’s Council, one of the organisation’s governing bodies. To stand in the presidential election, he needs formal backing from at least five national associations.
Gianni Infantino is FIFA’s current president. The role matters because FIFA makes decisions affecting international competitions and the finances and administration of football worldwide.
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