Will he receive support? The man who will run for FIFA presidency against Infantino

Kozo Tashima, honorary president of the Japan Football Association, announced his candidacy for the FIFA presidency against Gianni Infantino in the March 2027 elections. Meanwhile, UEFA is preparing to present its own candidate.

Kozo Tashima, the 68-year-old honorary president of the Japan Football Association, officially announced his candidacy for the FIFA presidency against Gianni Infantino, who has held the position since 2016. The elections are expected to take place in March 2027 in Rabat, Morocco. Tashima, a member of the FIFA Council since 2015, received full support from Japanese football leaders and presented a platform focused on integrity, transparency, and fairness. Meanwhile, UEFA is preparing to present its own candidate, with its president Aleksander Čeferin holding talks to unite forces against Infantino. Candidates are required to present written support from five national associations by November 18, 2026. Infantino still relies on support from Africa, South America, and the Caribbean, but his tenure is not guaranteed.