Japan FA chief Tashima to challenge Infantino for FIFA presidency

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.