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Japan FA chief Tashima to challenge Infantino for FIFA presidency
Developed over time first seen 1 day ago
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.
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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 voters.
How this story developed
- 21 hours ago Tashima’s candidacy was again reported as a potential challenge to Infantino, who remained favourite among FIFA’s 211 voters, with some South-east Asian and European associations said to be possible backers.
- 1 day ago Tashima said he had the Japan Football Association’s full backing and framed his challenge as a call for integrity, as Gianni Infantino faced criticism over a plan to bring private investors into a FIFA commercial venture.
- 1 day ago Kozo Tashima announced he would seek FIFA’s presidency, becoming Japan’s first candidate for the role, but needs nominations from five national associations by 18 November to enter next March’s election.
Where outlets differ
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Right-leaning outlets 1
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Every side used: chief, challenge, infantino, fifa
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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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Originally published by CNA as “Japan FA chief Tashima to challenge Infantino for FIFA presidency”.