Tashima enters FIFA presidential race against Infantino
Japan FA honorary president Kohzo Tashima has announced his intention to challenge Gianni Infantino for the FIFA presidency, securing his federation’s backing ahead of the November 18 nomination deadline.
FIFA Council member Kohzo Tashima intends to stand against Gianni Infantino in March’s presidential election, giving opponents of the incumbent a challenger with extensive experience in international football administration.The Japan Football Association’s board unanimously backed the former federation president’s candidacy, according to Japanese reports, as UEFA continues efforts to build support for an alternative to Infantino.Tashima said: “I am grateful that I can make this announcement with the full support of the Japan Football Association. 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.”The 68-year-old former Japan international has served on FIFA’s ruling Council since 2015 and is honorary president of the JFA.His declaration comes less than two weeks before nominations close on November 18, with candidates requiring formal support from at least five of FIFA’s 211 member associations and clearance through an eligibility review.The election will take place on March 18 in Rabat, Morocco.Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Ramon Vega has also declared his intention to stand, although whether he has secured the necessary nominations remains unclear.Tashima is understood to have discussed his prospective candidacy with UEFA officials at last month’s Asian Football Confederation congress in Tokyo and to be proceeding with European support.His decision challenges the picture of Asian unity presented when AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa endorsed Infantino at that meeting.The endorsement followed the AFC’s earlier opposition to FIFA Forward Enterprise, Infantino’s abandoned proposal to sell a minority stake in the commercial rights of FIFA competitions to private investors.UEFA has remained critical of the scheme and FIFA’s handling of subsequent requests for documents and explanations, making governance a central issue ahead of the election.Tashima’s entry also follows the resignation of JFA vice-president Takeshi Okada, who cited a conflict between his beliefs about sporting integrity and events surrounding this year’s World Cup.Japan’s support for a candidate of its own demonstrates that the AFC leadership’s endorsement does not bind individual member associations, which hold the votes in FIFA’s presidential election.Infantino nevertheless retains substantial backing across several confederations, leaving Tashima with the task of converting his administrative relationships and governance message into a voting coalition.His immediate requirement is to complete the nomination and eligibility process before he can formally contest the presidency.