# Japan FA chief Tashima to challenge Infantino for FIFA presidency

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/japan-fa-chief-tashima-to-challenge-infantino-for-fifa-presidency/
- Published: 2026-11-05T13:17:15+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-05T19:33:41+00:00
- Original publisher: CNA (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/japan-fa-chief-tashima-challenge-infantino-fifa-presidency-6527266
- Topics: Asia, Football, Sport, World

## Key points

- 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 voters.

## Summary

Kozo Tashima, honorary president of the Japan Football Association, has announced he will seek the FIFA presidency in next March’s election. He is the first Japanese candidate to pursue the role and says he wants to promote values he believes Japanese football has upheld.

The 68-year-old has been on the FIFA Council since 2015 and led the JFA from 2016 until Tsuneyasu Miyamoto succeeded him in 2024. To stand, Tashima needs nominations from five national associations by 18 November; he may receive backing from some South-east Asian and European associations. Incumbent Gianni Infantino remains in a strong position among FIFA’s 211 voting members, despite opposition to a proposed commercial venture and the emergence of challengers including Ramon Vega.

## Coverage

- [CNA: Japan FA chief Tashima to challenge Infantino for FIFA presidency](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/japan-fa-chief-tashima-challenge-infantino-fifa-presidency-6527266)
- [City AM: Infantino facing surprise Fifa election challenge from Japanese FA chief](https://www.cityam.com/infantino-facing-surprise-fifa-election-challenge-from-japanese-fa-chief/)

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.