Tashima Files Challenge Against Infantino For FIFA Presidency
Japanese council member announces bid for top soccer job after JFA board unanimously backs his candidacy.
By Talia Bennett ·
Kohzo Tashima, a long-time member of FIFA’s council, plans to run for the organization's presidency against incumbent Gianni Infantino. Japanese media reported the move on Thursday following a meeting of the Japan Football Association. This announcement marks the first serious challenge to Infantino’s leadership since July, when the FIFA chief sparked global controversy with a proposal to sell stakes in future World Cup profits to private investors.
Tashima has served alongside Infantino for nearly 11 years. He is now positioning himself as a rival ahead of the November 18 deadline for candidates to enter the race. The election will take place on March 18 in Rabat, Morocco. Tashima stated that his primary goal is not merely to win but to demonstrate the approach of Japanese soccer to the rest of the world.
The Japan Football Association board unanimously agreed to support Tashima’s bid. The decision was announced after a recent meeting where tensions over Infantino’s support base came to a head. Tashima told Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, the president of the Asian Football Confederation, that he could not back Infantino. This statement followed a shift in the AFC’s position, as the body had previously criticized Infantino in August but later switched to supporting him.
Tashima is 68 years old and a former Japanese midfielder. He has served on FIFA’s ruling committee since 2015, when Sepp Blatter was president. Colleagues describe him as a diplomatic and low-profile official in the sphere of international soccer politics. His entry into the race adds a new dynamic to a contest that has been dominated by Infantino’s recent strategic moves and internal conflicts.
To qualify for the ballot, candidates must receive formal support from five of FIFA’s 211 member federations. They must also pass an eligibility review by a three-member panel appointed by FIFA. The panel’s decision can be challenged at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The November 18 deadline is critical, as it determines who can officially enter the March 18 vote.
Infantino faces scrutiny over his disciplinary decisions regarding World Cup matches. Recent cases involved Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo, United States forward Folarin Balogun, and Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi. Additionally, Infantino’s plan to bring in private investors was dropped within days of its announcement due to backlash from soccer leaders in Europe, Asia, and North America, as well as from FIFA staffers.
The Japanese soccer federation has maintained a prominent role in Asian and FIFA politics for the past 15 years. This influence has persisted even as the Asian Football Confederation came under greater influence from Gulf states such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Last week, JFA vice president Takeshi Okada resigned due to the political dynamics surrounding Infantino’s support. Okada previously coached Japan in the 1998 and 2010 World Cups.
European soccer body UEFA has been leading efforts to find a candidate to challenge Infantino. It is currently unclear if Tashima has received formal endorsement from UEFA. In the 2015 election, UEFA initially backed three candidates before two withdrew, leaving Prince Ali bin Al Hussain as the main challenger. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, who has advised against Infantino’s style, previously compared the FIFA leader to the emperor with no clothes.
