Fifa: Japan's head of the association, Kozo Tashima, wants to replace Gianni Infantino as president

The head of the Japanese Football Association Kozo Tashima has announced his candidacy for the presidency of the world association Fifa. Tashima told the Japanese newspaper “Sports Nippon” on Thursday. The election will take place in March 2027.

"I am grateful to be able to make this announcement with the full support of the JFA," said Tashima. JFA stands for Japan Football Association. "It's not about winning or losing, but about conveying the honest, solid and sincere attitude to the world," said Tashima: "What FIFA needs now are exactly these values ​​that we have preserved. I decided to run for office to bring this message to the world.«

Fifa President Gianni Infantino, who is seeking re-election, has experienced great resistance from the individual continental associations in recent months. The trigger was his failed plan in July to involve private investors in the rights to competitions such as the World Cup. Infantino apologized for his plans at the Fifa Council meeting in October, but that wasn't enough for his opponents.

Tashima is not the first opponent for Infantino. Ramon Vega from Switzerland announced his candidacy in October and was the first public challenger. In order to be admitted to the election, he needs the support of at least five of UEFA's 211 member associations.

The European association UEFA is also in opposition to Infantino. UEFA boss Aleksander Čeferin and DFB President Bernd Neuendorf have recently repeatedly expressed sharp criticism of Infantino. The association is currently still looking for a candidate to overthrow Infantino. At the end of October it was said that UEFA was close to a decision. Meanwhile, Infantino has already secured the support of the Asian Continental Association.