Former Japan Football Association president Kozo Tashima has announced his candidacy for the FIFA presidency, becoming the second challenger to Gianni Infantino ahead of March's election.
Kozo Tashima, the honorary president of the Japan Football Association (JFA), confirmed on Thursday that he will stand against incumbent FIFA president Gianni Infantino in the upcoming presidential election.
The 68-year-old becomes the second candidate to challenge Infantino, following former Tottenham Hotspur defender Ramon Vega.
Tashima, who previously served on the FIFA Council and led the JFA between 2016 and 2024, announced his decision in a statement outlining his commitment to integrity, transparency and ethical leadership in global football.
"With the full support of the JFA I have decided to declare my candidacy in the FIFA presidential election," Tashima said.
"I believe it is important that the sincerity, integrity and high ethical standards that Japanese football has long valued and built up are clearly communicated to the global football community."
Tashima emphasised his ambition to promote these principles internationally and contribute to the continued development of the sport.
"In order to share these principles with the world and contribute to a better future for football, I have decided to run in the FIFA presidential election," he added.
"Drawing on the experience I have gained over the years, I will take on this challenge with firm resolve so that I can contribute to the further development of world football."
The deadline for candidates to formally declare their intention to contest the FIFA presidential election is November 18, with voting scheduled for March.
Infantino, 56, is seeking a fourth and final term as FIFA president despite facing criticism over his leadership and a controversial, ultimately abandoned plan involving the commercial rights to the World Cup.
The proposal prompted widespread criticism and calls for Infantino to resign, raising questions about FIFA's governance and future direction.
However, the incumbent remains in a strong position to secure another term after receiving the endorsement of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) last month.
Infantino has also maintained that he enjoys the backing of the "vast, vast majority" of FIFA's member associations, dismissing demands for him to step down.
With Tashima and Vega now officially entering the contest, Infantino faces opposition from candidates offering alternative visions for the future of international football.
Tashima's campaign is expected to focus on ethical leadership and the development of the global game, drawing on his extensive experience in Japanese and international football administration.
Despite the emergence of challengers, Infantino's established support among FIFA member associations could prove decisive when football's governing body elects its president in March.
