Kohzo Tashima announces FIFA presidency bid to challenge Gianni Infantino

Kohzo Tashima, honorary president of the Japan Football Association, has officially entered the race to become FIFA president, presenting himself as a serious alternative to incumbent Gianni Infantino.

Tashima confirmed his candidacy at a closely followed news conference in Tokyo on Thursday morning. His decision adds a significant development to an election in which Infantino has faced strong criticism over his governance in recent months.

Speaking in the Japanese capital, Tashima said: “I have decided to run for the FIFA presidency in order to defend these values throughout the world.”

The former Japanese football official said his campaign would seek to place the game, transparency and respect for sport’s fundamental principles at the centre of FIFA’s work.

His announcement marks the formal start of what is expected to be an intense campaign across the international sporting landscape. By challenging Infantino directly, Tashima hopes to win the backing of federations seeking change and create a new direction for global football.