The race for the presidency of the Fédération internationale de football association (FIFA) has taken a new turn with Kozo Tashima, former president of the Fédération japonaise de football (JFA), announcing his candidacy to challenge incumbent Gianni Infantino. Tashima, 68, revealed his intention to run for the top spot at FIFA on November 5, 2026, with the election scheduled for March 2027 in Rabat, Morocco. He becomes the second declared candidate to challenge Infantino, following Ramon Vega, a former Swiss footballer.
Kozo Tashima, currently president d'honneur of the JFA and a former member of the FIFA Council, has the full support of the JFA for his candidacy. In a statement, Tashima emphasized the importance of promoting values of ethics, transparency, and integrity in football, which he believes are core to the Japanese football model. He aims to share these principles with the global football community and contribute to a new dynamic for the sport.
With his experience in leadership roles, Tashima is determined to take on the challenge and help further develop football globally. He served as president of the JFA from 2016 to 2024 and has been a member of the FIFA Council. Tashima's candidacy adds to the list of contenders, although Gianni Infantino remains the strong favorite to be re-elected, having been in office since 2016.
The election for the FIFA presidency is set to take place on March 18, 2027, during the organization's congress in Rabat. The deadline for submitting candidatures is November 18, 2026. Infantino, 56, has received support from the Confédération asiatique de football (AFC) and claims to have the backing of the "very, very large majority" of FIFA's member associations.
Despite Tashima's entry into the race, it remains to be seen whether he can challenge Infantino's strong position. The incumbent has faced criticism, particularly over his abandoned project to create a commercial company open to private investors. However, Infantino has maintained his lead in the race, with many expecting him to be re-elected.
Kozo Tashima's candidacy brings a new perspective to the FIFA presidential election, with a focus on ethics and transparency. His experience in Japanese football and his former role on the FIFA Council make him a credible contender. Nevertheless, the competition for the top spot remains fierce, with Tashima and any other candidates facing a tough challenge to unseat the incumbent.
As the election approaches, the global football community will be watching closely to see how the candidates shape up. With the FIFA presidency playing a crucial role in shaping the future of the sport, the outcome of the election will have significant implications for football worldwide. The successful candidate will need to navigate complex issues, including governance, finance, and competition formats.
Key points
- Kozo Tashima, a 68-year-old Japanese football official, has announced his candidacy for the FIFA presidency, challenging incumbent Gianni Infantino.
- Tashima, a former president of the JFA, aims to promote values of ethics, transparency, and integrity in football.
- The FIFA presidential election is scheduled for March 18, 2027, in Rabat, Morocco, with the deadline for candidatures set for November 18, 2026.
