Kozo Tashima to challenge Gianni Infantino for FIFA presidency

Kozo Tashima has announced his intention to challenge Gianni Infantino for the FIFA presidency, with the Japan Football Association backing his bid ahead of next year’s election.

The 68-year-old JFA honorary president and FIFA Council member confirmed his plans on Thursday 5 November, putting integrity at the centre of his campaign.

Tashima must secure nominations from five member associations and pass an eligibility check before joining the ballot. The election takes place on 18 March 2027 in Rabat, Morocco.

Kozo Tashima puts integrity at centre of FIFA bid

The former Japan international has served on the FIFA Council since 2015. He became JFA president in 2016, with Tsuneyasu Miyamoto succeeding him in 2024.

His candidacy has the support of Japan’s football leadership. The Associated Press, citing Japanese newspaper Asahi, reported that JFA board members unanimously agreed to back him.

“It’s not about winning or losing but about conveying to the world the honest, sound and upright attitude that Japanese football has built,” Tashima said, as reported by Reuters.

He added that FIFA needs “these values that we have protected”.

Tashima becomes the second declared challenger after former Tottenham defender Ramon Vega, who announced his intention to stand in October.

What does Tashima need to reach the FIFA ballot?

Announcing a campaign does not automatically secure a place in the election.

Candidates need formal support from at least five of FIFA’s 211 member associations. They must also clear an eligibility review conducted by a three-member panel appointed by FIFA, according to the Associated Press.

Election detail	Confirmed information
Nomination deadline	18 November 2026
Support required	Five FIFA member associations
Additional requirement	Eligibility review
Election date	18 March 2027
Election venue	Rabat, Morocco
Declared challengers	Kozo Tashima and Ramon Vega

Infantino faces challenge after World Cup investment controversy

Infantino is seeking re-election after a dispute over proposals to bring private investors into a new FIFA commercial entity holding rights linked to competitions including the World Cup.

The proposal, known as FIFA Forward Enterprise, was abandoned in July following opposition across football.

UEFA has been leading efforts to find a challenger ahead of the nomination deadline. Tashima offers that opposition a candidate with experience on FIFA’s governing council and the backing of his national association.

However, Infantino retains substantial support. Reuters reports that his position strengthened when Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa endorsed his bid last month.

Tashima’s announcement therefore opens a challenge rather than establishing that the incumbent’s support has fallen away. The nomination process will provide the next indication of how much backing the Japanese official can assemble.

What happens next in the FIFA presidential election?

The immediate deadline is 18 November, when prospective candidates must submit their nominations.

Tashima’s first task is to turn the JFA’s endorsement into sufficient formal support to enter the election. His policy proposals and further endorsements will then show how he intends to compete with Infantino.