FIFA Presidential Race: Japan's Kozo Tashima Officially Announces Bid to Challenge Gianni Infantino

Kozo Tashima, honorary president of the Japan Football Association (JFA), announced on Thursday, November 5, his intention to run against Swiss-Italian Gianni Infantino in the upcoming presidential election of the International Association Football Federation (FIFA).

Tashima, 68, has become the second candidate to enter the race against Infantino, following the earlier announcement by former Swiss international and Tottenham defender Ramon Vega. Tashima, who previously held a seat on the FIFA Council, stated in an official release: "With the full support of the Japan Football Association, I have decided to announce my candidacy for the FIFA presidential election. I believe in the importance of clearly conveying the values of sincerity, integrity, and high ethical standards—which Japanese football has built and maintained for a long time—to the global football community."

Long Experience in Football Administration

Tashima, who served as president of the JFA between 2016 and 2024, emphasized his desire to "share these principles with the world and contribute to building a better future for football," noting that he relies on the "experience gained over the years." He added: "I will take on this challenge with determination and resolve to contribute to the continued development of world football."

It is worth noting that the deadline for submitting candidacies for the presidential election officially closes on November 18. The election is scheduled to be held during the FIFA Congress set for March 18, 2027, in the Moroccan capital, Rabat.

Infantino Remains the Frontrunner

Despite the declarations of Tashima and Vega, Gianni Infantino (56), who has led FIFA since 2016, remains the clear frontrunner to secure a new term, despite facing criticism following an incomplete project to establish an open commercial enterprise for private sector investors.

Infantino leans on a strong position to ensure his re-election, particularly after the Asian Football Confederation announced its support for him last month, alongside Infantino's previous statements asserting he enjoys the backing of the "overwhelming majority" of member associations and rejecting any calls to step down from his post.