FIFA Presidential Election: Infantino to Face Tashima

Japan Football Association (JFA) President Kozo Tashima has announced that he will run against current FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the FIFA presidential election scheduled for next March.

The 68-year-old Mr. Tashima is the second person to announce his candidacy against Mr. Infantino. Earlier, former Tottenham defender Ramon Vega announced that he would also run for the post.

Mr. Tashima, a former member of the FIFA Council, said in a statement, “With the full support of the JFA, I have decided to run for the FIFA presidency.

“I believe it is important to clearly show the global football community the sincerity, honesty and high moral standards that Japanese football has followed and promoted for many years.

“I have decided to contest the FIFA presidential election to share these values with the world and help build a better future for football.”

Mr. Tashima, who served as JFA president from 2016 to 2024, also said, “I am taking on this challenge with strong determination, using the experience I have gained over the years, to help develop world football further.”

The deadline for announcing candidacy in the election is November 18.

Current FIFA President Mr. Infantino is seeking re-election for a fourth and final term. He faced strong criticism after a plan to sell the commercial rights of the World Cup fell through. There were also calls for his resignation.

However, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) supported the 56-year-old Infantino last month. As a result, he is now in a strong position in the re-election race.

Earlier, Mr. Infantino claimed that he had the support of a “very, very large majority” of FIFA member countries. He also rejected calls for his resignation.