Japan's Tashima to stand against Infantino for Fifa presidency

Japan Football Association honorary president Kozo Tashima has announced his intention to challenge incumbent FIFA president Gianni Infantino in the upcoming presidential election. The 68-year-old, a member of the FIFA Council and former international footballer and coach, joins a growing list of candidates aiming to lead global football.

Tashima's decision, supported by the Japan Football Association (JFA), underscores his desire to promote integrity, soundness, and high moral standards he believes Japanese football has always upheld. Speaking of his decision, Tashima said, "I have decided to run for FIFA presidential election in order to convey this philosophy to the world and contribute to a better future for football."

JFA president Tsuneyasu Miyamoto described Tashima's move as a significant challenge, highlighting his experience and knowledge as potential contributions to world football. The news of Tashima's entry comes amidst scrutiny of Infantino's leadership following controversy surrounding the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) initiative, which was abandoned in July amid widespread opposition.

Despite the controversy, Infantino has maintained broad support, including a formal endorsement from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) recently. The deadline for nominations to run for FIFA presidency is November 18, and candidates must secure support from at least five FIFA member associations. Tashima's entry adds another contender to the race, which is already set to be highly competitive.