Politics · Singapore Bureau
Japan football chief eyes long-shot FIFA presidency bid against Infantino
Kozo Tashima, head of Japan's football association, has signalled his intention to challenge incumbent FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the upcoming election, though he assesses his own prospects as modest. The Japanese official must secure nominations from at least five national associations to formally enter the race.
LSN Singapore ·
Tashima told reporters that his chances of securing the FIFA presidency stand at between 20 and 30 per cent, underscoring the steep challenge he faces in mounting a campaign against the incumbent Infantino, who has held the position since 2016.
As a formal candidate, Tashima must first clear an institutional hurdle by obtaining nomination letters from a minimum of five FIFA member nations—a prerequisite that could prove challenging given Infantino's established support base among football associations worldwide.
The Japanese Football Association chief's announcement marks a rare challenge to Infantino's leadership, with few sitting federation leaders having stepped forward to contest the FIFA election in recent years. Tashima's cautiously optimistic self-assessment reflects the considerable organisational advantage held by an incumbent seeking re-election.
The FIFA presidential election will draw global attention from the sport's governing bodies and member associations, with the final vote scheduled to take place at FIFA's Congress. Tashima's formal candidacy, should he secure the necessary nominations, would set the stage for a competitive contest in world football's highest office.