Kozo Tashima, honorary president of the Japan Football Association (JFA), has declared his intention to challenge Gianni Infantino in the FIFA presidential election scheduled for March 2027.
Tashima, a member of the FIFA Council and former JFA president, will have the backing of his national association and is expected to secure the five endorsements required to become an official candidate.
The 68-year-old is the second person to announce plans to challenge Infantino, following former Tottenham Hotspur defender Ramon Vega.
In a statement on Thursday, Tashima confirmed his decision to enter the race, citing the values he believes Japanese football can bring to the global game.
“With the full support of the JFA, I have decided to declare my candidacy in the FIFA presidential election.
“I believe it is important that the sincerity, integrity and high ethical standards that Japanese football has long valued and built up are clearly communicated to the global football community.
“To share these principles with the world and contribute to a better future for football, I have decided to run in the FIFA presidential election,” he said.
Tashima, who served as JFA president from 2016 to 2024, said he would draw on his experience in football administration to contribute to the development of the sport.
“Drawing on the experience I have gained over the years, I will take on this challenge with firm resolve so that I can contribute to the further development of world football,” he added.
UEFA and anti-Infantino factions in focus
Tashima could also attract support from factions within the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and CONCACAF that oppose Infantino’s leadership.
UEFA is reportedly working to prevent Infantino from securing another term and could throw its support behind Tashima if he becomes the incumbent’s only challenger.
The deadline for candidates to declare their intention to stand is November 18. FIFA’s 211 member associations will vote in the election, with a candidate requiring at least 106 votes to secure the presidency.
Infantino seeks another term
Infantino, who is seeking re-election for what would be his fourth and final term, has faced criticism over his leadership, including the abandoned plan to sell a stake in the commercial rights to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
However, the 56-year-old remains in a strong position after the AFC endorsed his bid for another term last month.
Infantino has also claimed the backing of the “vast, vast majority” of FIFA member associations and dismissed calls for him to step down.
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