Japan's Tashima challenges Infantino for FIFA presidency
A former midfielder and long-time council member announced his candidacy after a rift with the Asian Football Confederation over support for the incumbent.
By Layla Richardson ·
Kohzo Tashima, a member of FIFA's council since 2015, has entered the race to replace or retain FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Japanese media reported on Thursday that Tashima intends to run against the incumbent following a meeting of the Japan Football Association. This marks the first serious challenge to Infantino ahead of the November 18 filing deadline since the global soccer body's leadership crisis began in July.
The conflict stems from Infantino's July proposal to sell stakes in future World Cup profits to private investors. The plan was dropped within days after backlash from soccer leaders in Europe, Asia, and North America, as well as from FIFA staff. Scrutiny also intensified regarding disciplinary decisions affecting players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Folarin Balogun, and Lionel Mpasi.
Tashima, 68, is a former Japan midfielder who served as a president of the Japan Football Association. He has been part of FIFA's ruling committee since 2015, serving under Sepp Blatter before Infantino took office. Colleagues describe him as a diplomatic and low-profile figure in a field often marked by political maneuvering. He has held a seat at the high table of Asian and FIFA politics for 15 years as Gulf state influence grew within the Asian Football Confederation.
The decision to run followed a split within the Asian Football Confederation last month. Although the AFC initially criticized Infantino in August, it switched its position to support him. Last week, Takeshi Okada, a JFA vice president and former World Cup coach, quit his post due to the politics surrounding Infantino's support. Two weeks ago, Tashima told AFC president Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa that he could not back the current president.
According to reports from the Nikkei, Tashima stated, “The worst thing that can happen is he is re-elected to the post without an election.” He added via Sponichi Annex that the goal is to show the world “the sincere, sound, and noble approach of the Japanese soccer.” The Japan Football Association board members unanimously agreed to support his candidacy.
The election is scheduled for March 18 in Rabat, Morocco. Candidates must secure formal support from five of FIFA's 211 member federations and pass an eligibility check by a three-member panel. Their ruling can be challenged at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Infantino is seeking a fourth term that would extend his time in office to 15 years, a duration that exceeds the three-term limit in FIFA statutes, though legal advice in 2022 suggested his initial term should not count against that limit.
European soccer body UEFA has been seeking candidates to challenge Infantino. It was unclear on Thursday if Tashima has formal endorsement from UEFA. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin compared Infantino to the emperor with no clothes in September, stating that football has no need for emperors. The JFA did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding Tashima's formal standing.
The next step in the process involves the November 18 deadline for candidates to enter the contest. Tashima's entry puts a specific name and platform into the race, moving the potential election from a theoretical possibility to a procedural reality. The outcome will depend on whether he can gather the required federation support before the eligibility panel reviews his candidacy.
