Quotes
Japanese Tashima launches bid to challenge Infantino for FIFA presidency
Summarised by MatchPal
The 68-year-old FIFA board member will challenge incumbent Gianni Infantino in the March 2027 presidential election, backed by the Japanese Football Association.
Kohzo Tashima, a 68-year-old FIFA board member and former Japan Football Association president, has announced his candidacy for the FIFA presidency. He will face incumbent Gianni Infantino in the election scheduled for March 2027 in Rabat, Morocco.
Tashima, a seven-time Japan international, has served on FIFA's highest governing body since 2015. He framed his challenge around restoring integrity and values to world football, stating: "It goes not about winning or losing, but about showing the world the fair, solid and honest attitude that Japanese football has built. What FIFA now needs are these values that we have protected."
Tashima is the first serious challenger to emerge against Infantino since the FIFA president sparked global controversy in July with a plan to sell stakes in future World Cup revenues to private investors. Candidates must secure formal backing from at least five of FIFA's 211 national member associations to stand. The deadline for official candidacy is 18 November.
Summary by MatchPal from the original report at nos.nl. Reporting and images belong to the source.
Reports on this story
UK times- Sky Sports
- ESPN
- The Guardian
- NOS
- The Independent
- The Athletic
- Corriere dello Sport
- talkSPORT
- Tashima challenges Infantino: new rival emerges for FIFA presidencyCorriere dello Sport
- Infantino faces fight for FIFA presidency as first challenger emergesSky Sports
- Reports: FIFA Council's Tashima to challenge Infantino in March electionsESPN
- Japanese Tashima launches bid to challenge Infantino for FIFA presidencyNOSThis article
- Japan's Kohzo Tashima announces bid to challenge Gianni Infantino for Fifa presidencyThe Independent
