Tashima Files Challenge to Infantino After 11 Years of FIFA Leadership
The Japanese council member enters the race following a backlash against World Cup profit sales and internal disputes within the Asian Football Confederation.
By Ibrahim Howard ·
Eleven years of leadership for FIFA President Gianni Infantino now face their first serious contest in over a decade. Kohzo Tashima, a long-time member of FIFA’s council, intends to run against the incumbent in the upcoming presidential election. Japanese media reported the move on Thursday following a meeting of the national soccer federation.
Tashima, 68, is the first major rival to emerge before the November 18 deadline. The challenge comes in the wake of a July proposal by Infantino to sell stakes in future World Cup profits to private investors. That plan was dropped within days after a strong backlash from soccer leaders in Europe, Asia, and North America, as well as from FIFA staff.
The election will be held on March 18 in Rabat, Morocco. Candidates must secure formal support from five of FIFA’s 211 member federations. They must also pass an eligibility check by a three-member panel appointed by FIFA. That ruling can be challenged at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Tashima has been on FIFA’s ruling committee since 2015, serving under former president Sepp Blatter. He is a former Japan midfielder and has been described as a diplomatic and low-profile official in soccer politics. The Japan Football Association board members unanimously agreed to back him, according to the Asahi and Nikkan Sports newspapers.
Tashima spoke to the Nikkei newspaper on Thursday about the stakes of the election. “The worst thing that can happen is he (Infantino) is re-elected to the post without an election,” he said. He added to Sponichi Annex that the goal was not just victory, but to show the world the sincere and noble approach of Japanese soccer.
Tensions have risen within the Asian Football Confederation, or AFC, in recent months. The AFC criticized Infantino in August but switched to supporting him last month. This shift contributed to the resignation of JFA vice president Takeshi Okada last week. Okada, who coached Japan at the 1998 and 2010 World Cups, quit citing the politics surrounding Infantino’s bid for support.
Two weeks ago in Tokyo, Tashima told AFC president Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa that he could not support Infantino. This public break with the regional body adds weight to his campaign. The JFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press.
Infantino faces scrutiny over his pursuit of a fourth term, which would extend his time in office to 15 years. FIFA statutes limit presidents to three full terms and 12 years. A 2022 legal advice note stated that Infantino’s initial term from 2016 to 2019, which completed Blatter’s mandate, should not count against that limit. UEFA has been seeking a candidate to challenge him, though it was unclear if Tashima has their formal endorsement.
