Kohzo Tashima, a member of the FIFA Council, plans to challenge Gianni Infantino for the presidency of world football’s governing body, reports from Japan said following a meeting of the country’s football federation.
Japanese backing for Tashima bid
Tashima is the first substantial challenger to emerge against Infantino since the FIFA president sparked widespread controversy in July with proposals to sell shares of future World Cup revenues to private investors.
- Japanese daily Asahi said Tashima informed the meeting that he would stand in the presidential vote next March.
- Directors of the Japan Football Association, or JFA, reportedly gave unanimous approval to support his candidacy.
- Nikkan Sports also reported that Tashima intends to enter the election.
The JFA did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
Experienced figure in football administration
Tashima, 68, previously played for Japan’s national team and later served as president of the country’s federation. He has sat on FIFA’s top decision-making body since 2015, when Sepp Blatter was still FIFA president.
He is widely viewed as a respected, discreet and diplomatic administrator in the frequently opaque environment of international football politics.
Election rules and UEFA search
The presidential election is scheduled for March 18 in Rabat, Morocco, with all 211 FIFA member associations entitled to vote.
- A prospective candidate must secure official nominations from at least five member federations.
- Each candidate must also clear an eligibility assessment conducted by a three-person committee selected by FIFA.
UEFA has been at the forefront of efforts to identify a contender capable of opposing Infantino before the November 18 deadline for entries.
