Kozo Tashima Announces FIFA Presidential Bid With JFA Backing

Kozo Tashima, honorary president of the Japan Football Association and a FIFA Council member, announced on November 5 that he intends to challenge Gianni Infantino for the FIFA presidency. He spoke to reporters after a JFA board meeting in Tokyo, where the association unanimously agreed to back his candidacy. The election is scheduled for March 18, 2027, in Rabat, Morocco. Tashima, 68, said he had made his final decision the previous week and was grateful for the association's full support. He described his bid as an effort to bring the honest, sound and upright values developed in Japanese football to the international game. “What FIFA needs now are these values that we have protected,” Tashima said. He said the undertaking went beyond winning or losing the election. JFA executive director Kazuyuki Yukawa confirmed that the board's support was unanimous, but said the personnel and practical arrangements for the campaign still had to be discussed. Asked whether the association would cover its costs, he said he could not answer at present. Tashima must secure nominations from five member associations before the November 18 filing deadline; he has not yet completed that step. Before announcing his decision, Tashima spoke with UEFA officials at last month's Asian Football Confederation congress in Tokyo. Former Switzerland international Ramon Vega has also declared a bid. Infantino is seeking reelection.