Japan's Tashima declares FIFA presidency bid to unseat Infantino in March election

FIFA Council member Kohzo Tashima has formally declared his intention to challenge incumbent president Gianni Infantino in next year’s election, Japanese media reported on Thursday following a meeting of the Japan Football Association. The 68-year-old honorary JFA president confirmed his candidacy with the full backing of the federation’s board, who voted unanimously in his favour.

“I am grateful that I can make this announcement with the full support of the JFA,” Tashima said. “It’s not about winning or losing but about conveying to the world the honest, sound and upright attitude that Japanese football has built. What FIFA needs now are these values that we have protected. I have decided to run in order to make this appeal to the world.”

Tashima represents the first credible challenger to emerge since Infantino sparked widespread controversy in July with a proposal to sell stakes in future World Cup profits to private investors. The announcement was reported by Japanese newspaper Asahi and sports daily Nikkan Sports.

A former Japan international, Tashima has served on FIFA’s ruling committee since 2015, when Sepp Blatter was still in charge, and is regarded within football governance circles as a respected and diplomatically measured figure.

To formally enter the race, prospective candidates must secure endorsement from at least five of FIFA’s 211 member federations and pass an eligibility review conducted by a three-member panel appointed by FIFA. The election is scheduled for March 18 in Rabat, Morocco, with a nomination deadline of November 18.

Tashima’s announcement comes amid a broader wave of opposition to Infantino’s continued leadership. Just last week, JFA vice president Takeshi Okada resigned from his position, citing controversies surrounding this year’s World Cup that represented a “significant divergence” from his personal beliefs about sporting integrity. UEFA has also been actively working to identify a challenger ahead of the November deadline.