.svg.png){kind=logo}
Kozo Tashima, Honorary President of the Japan Football Association (JFA), announced on Thursday that he will run for the FIFA presidency in next March’s election, setting up a high-profile challenge against incumbent Gianni Infantino.
Tashima told Japanese newspaper Sports Nippon that his decision comes with the full backing of his national association as he seeks to champion integrity at world football’s governing body.
Read Also:2026 U-17 WWC: Brazil Coach Rilany Laments Defeat To Flamingos
“I am grateful that I can make this announcement with the full support of the JFA,” Tashima said.
“It’s not about winning or losing, but about conveying to the world the honest, sound, and upright attitude that Japanese football has built.
“What FIFA needs now are these values that we have protected. I have decided to run in order to make this appeal to the world.”
Infantino, who is seeking re-election, has faced mounting opposition following a controversial attempt in July to bring private investors into a new FIFA commercial entity designed to hold rights to flagship competitions, including the World Cup.
