Japan Football Association honorary president Kozo Tashima, 68, has announced his candidacy against incumbent Gianni Infantino for the FIFA presidency. Tashima, a FIFA Council member and former international player and coach, pledged to bring "integrity, soundness, and high moral standards" to the role.
Infantino faces scrutiny after the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) plan to sell World Cup stakes to private investors, which sparked widespread backlash in July. Despite the scandal, Infantino has regained support, claiming the "vast, vast majority" of world football backs his bid for a fourth term. The Asian Football Confederation, led by president Sheikh Salman, recently endorsed Infantino after a U‑turn.
Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Ramon Vega was the first declared candidate in October. Tashima's entry, backed by the Japan Football Association (JFA), now tests the depth of Infantino's support base. All candidates must secure nominations from at least five FIFA member associations by the 18 November deadline.
Source: BBC Sport Football · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing