The Fifa hopeful hoping to take Infantino down with 'samurai spirit'

Kozo Tashima, honorary president of the Japan Football Association, announces his candidacy to challenge Gianni Infantino in the March Fifa presidential election.

Kozo Tashima has become the first serious challenger to Gianni Infantino for the Fifa presidency, announcing his intention to stand in the March election in Morocco. The 68-year-old honorary president of the Japan Football Association said he has received "good replies" from member associations after contacting them for the five endorsements needed to run.

Tashima, who sits on the Fifa Council, acknowledged the difficulty of his task against Infantino, who has led Fifa for a decade. He said he is driven by disappointment in Infantino's handling of recent controversies, including the cancelled suspension of US forward Folarin Balogun at the World Cup and the abandoned plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors. "I have to fight against him with my samurai spirit," Tashima told BBC Sport.

He plans to campaign on a platform of "sincerity, soundness, fair play, and integrity," emphasizing the need to review Fifa's governance and make football accessible to all. When asked if he realistically hopes to win, Tashima said: "Of course, of course yes, I hope I will win. It is not easy." Former Tottenham defender Ramon Vega has also announced his intention to stand but has failed to secure the necessary endorsements in three previous attempts.