The suitors for the presidency of FIFA are emerging, challenging the reign and reputation of embattled President Gianni Infantino.
In Asia, Kozo Tashima, a leading figure in Japanese football, has announced his intention to stand for the FIFA presidency on a platform promoting “integrity, soundness, and high moral standards”.
A former coach, Tashima, 68, holds the title of Honorary President of the Japan Football Association (JFA). The title was given to Tashima in recognition of his work establishing the network of JFA academies that advanced Japan’s development of football talent, recognised as the best in Asia.
Tashima’s announcement has the JFA’s backing. To qualify for the election, however, he must secure formal endorsements from at least five FIFA member associations, including Japan’s, by 18 November.
His challenge comes amid continuing scrutiny of Infantino’s abandoned proposal to bring private investment into FIFA’s tournament commercial operations.
The proposed deal involved a $4.2bn investment for a 20% stake in FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a new subsidiary handling commercial operations linked to competitions including the World Cup. The prospective investors were led by Thrive Eternal, the investment fund headed by Joshua Kushner, brother of US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
The proposal was abandoned following a backlash across world football, leaving questions about Infantino’s judgment and FIFA’s decision-making.
Tashima has placed integrity at the centre of his campaign, although the extent of his support outside Japan remains unclear. JFA President Tsuneyasu Miyamoto has backed his candidacy as an opportunity to demonstrate the values of Japanese football internationally.
Infantino apologised to the FIFA Council in October over his handling of the investment proposal. Nevertheless, he remains committed to seeking re-election in March 2027.
Tashima splits Asian associations over Infantino
Across Asia, support for his leadership is substantial but divided. The Jordan Football Association has explicitly opposed his re-election, while Japan has now backed a challenger. Football Australia has demanded greater transparency, accountability and independent scrutiny of FIFA’s governance, stopping short of calling for Infantino’s resignation.
AFC President Sheikh Salman, meanwhile, endorsed Infantino’s re-election on 23 October, reversing his earlier criticism of the investment proposal. This endorsement strengthens the incumbent’s position, but Japan’s challenge demonstrates that Asian football cannot be treated as a guaranteed voting bloc.
Bigger names stay out of the race, for now
For all the criticism of Infantino, the field of challengers remains thin. Tashima joins former Tottenham Hotspur and Switzerland defender Ramon Vega, who announced his intention to stand in October.
Yet bigger profiles have kept their distance from the presidency. Concacaf President Victor Montagliani is seeking re-election to his own post, while UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin has ruled himself out.
In media circles, former Arsenal manager and French football advisor Arsène Wenger has been encouraged to stand by some European football figures, but has yet to declare any interest in the role.
As such, Infantino’s critics face a familiar political problem: discontent is easier to muster than an electoral courage to compete in a competition designed to favour the incumbent. Tashima has offered them an alternative, but will anyone back the man from Japan?
