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The Fifa hopeful hoping to take Infantino down with ‘samurai spirit’
Kozo Tashima, honorary president of the Japan Football Association and a member of Fifa’s Council, says he will challenge Gianni Infantino for the Fifa presidency, hoping to bring what he calls “good change” to the organisation. He says he is driven by concerns about recent decisions and wants to strengthen governance and make football accessible to all.
The 68-year-old first needs endorsements from five member associations to qualify for the March election in Morocco; he says he has received encouraging replies from some he approached. Tashima acknowledges Infantino has substantial support, but says he hopes to win and will campaign on sincerity, fair play and integrity. He criticised the handling of a suspension involving US forward Folarin Balogun and the abandoned plan to sell World Cup stakes to private investors; former Tottenham defender Ramon Vega has also declared his candidacy.
In short
- Kozo Tashima is challenging Infantino for the Fifa presidency.
- He needs endorsements from five member associations to qualify.
- His campaign promises better governance and wider access to football.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A challenger can argue that Fifa benefits from a credible contest and that Tashima’s focus on governance, integrity and access to football addresses legitimate responsibilities of the presidency. His criticism of recent decisions and call for change could give member associations a chance to scrutinise the organisation’s direction, even if he faces a well-supported incumbent.
The case against
Supporters of Infantino can argue that continuity and established backing matter in leading a global organisation, and that a challenger should show both a viable programme and enough member-association support to govern effectively. They may also consider the cited decisions matters for Fifa’s processes to assess, rather than evidence on their own that the organisation needs a change of president.
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