Kozo Tashima, the 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.
Tashima cites Japanese football values as the reason for his decision to enter the race. In a statement, he confirmed his decision, highlighting the values he believes Japanese football can bring to the global game. He emphasized the importance of sincerity, integrity, and high ethical standards that Japanese football has long valued and built up. Tashima aims to share these principles with the world and contribute to a better future for football.
With his experience in football administration, Tashima believes he can contribute to the development of the sport. He served as JFA president from 2016 to 2024 and will draw on the experience he has gained over the years to take on this challenge with firm resolve. Tashima's candidacy could 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, who is seeking re-election for what would be his fourth and final term, has faced criticism over his leadership. He has been criticized for 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. Tashima's candidacy is seen as a significant challenge to Infantino's leadership, and the election is expected to be closely contested. The outcome will depend on the support Tashima and Infantino receive from FIFA's member associations.
The FIFA presidential election is scheduled for March 2027, and the campaign is expected to intensify in the coming months. Tashima's decision to run has added a new dimension to the election, and his candidacy will likely be closely watched by football stakeholders around the world.
Key points
- Kozo Tashima, honorary president of the Japan Football Association, has announced his intention to challenge Gianni Infantino in the FIFA presidential election in March 2027.
- Tashima cites Japanese football values as the reason for his decision to enter the race, emphasizing sincerity, integrity, and high ethical standards.
- The election is expected to be closely contested, with Infantino seeking re-election for a fourth term and facing challenges from Tashima and potentially other candidates.
