# The Fifa hopeful hoping to take Infantino down with ‘samurai spirit’

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/the-fifa-hopeful-hoping-to-take-infantino-down-with-samurai-spirit/
- Published: 2026-11-06T15:21:40+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-06T17:11:06+00:00
- Original publisher: BBC Sport (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cmwyvv7pkqrno?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Topics: Elections, Football, Politics, Sport

## Key points

- 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.

## Summary

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.

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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.