Japanese challenger Tashima rates chances of unseating Fifa head Infantino at 20%-30%
Japan Football Association honorary president rates his chances at 20 to 30 percent and calls governance FIFA's biggest problem
Quick Look
Japan Football Association honorary president Kozo Tashima announced his candidacy for the March FIFA presidential election, calling governance FIFA's biggest problem and rating his chances of unseating incumbent Gianni Infantino at 20 to 30 percent.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Kozo Tashima, 68, is a former Japan international who has served on the FIFA Council since 2015. He was JFA president from 2016 until being succeeded by Tsuneyasu Miyamoto in 2024. He announced on Thursday his intention to run in the March FIFA presidential election, becoming the first Japanese candidate to seek the position.
Japan Football Association honorary president Kozo Tashima said governance was Fifa's biggest problem as he outlined his platform for next year's presidential election, while rating his chances of unseating incumbent Gianni Infantino at 20 to 30 per cent.
Tashima announced on Thursday that he intended to run in the March election, becoming the first Japanese candidate to seek world football's top job.
The 68-year-old former Japan international has served on the Fifa Council since 2015 and became JFA president the following year before being succeeded by Tsuneyasu Miyamoto in 2024.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Kozo Tashima will appear on the ballot for the March FIFA presidential election
Very likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- What specific governance reforms does Tashima propose?
- What is the exact date of the March election?
- How many other candidates are running against Infantino?
- What is Tashima's detailed campaign platform beyond governance?
