Kozo Tashima Declares FIFA Presidency Bid, Challenges Gianni Infantino

Kozo Tashima has become the second candidate to officially challenge Gianni Infantino for the FIFA presidency, following former Tottenham Hotspur defender Ramon Vega.

Published On 5 Nov 20265 Nov 2026

Kozo Tashima, the honorary president of the Japan Football Association (JFA), announced on Thursday his candidacy to challenge Gianni Infantino in the upcoming FIFA presidential election scheduled for March.

The 68-year-old, who previously served as JFA president from 2016 to 2024 and has held a seat on the FIFA Council, is the second individual to formally enter the race, following the earlier declaration by Ramon Vega.

In his official statement, Tashima emphasized the core values of Japanese football, stating, “With the full support of the JFA, I have decided to declare my candidacy in the FIFA presidential election. I believe it is important that the sincerity, integrity, and high ethical standards that Japanese football has long valued and built up are clearly communicated to the global football community.”

He continued, “In order to share these principles with the world and contribute to a better future for football, I have decided to run in the FIFA presidential election. Drawing on the experience I have gained over the years, I will take on this challenge with firm resolve so that I can contribute to the further development of world football.”

The official deadline for candidates to submit their declarations for the election is November 18.

Incumbent Infantino, who is seeking a fourth and final term as FIFA president, faced significant backlash and calls for his resignation following a controversial, aborted plan to sell World Cup broadcasting rights. However, his position has strengthened considerably after receiving the endorsement of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) last month.

Infantino has previously asserted that he enjoys the backing of the “vast, vast majority” of FIFA member associations, dismissing the mounting pressure to step down.

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