Gianni Infantino faces first FIFA presidency challenge as Japan’s Kohzo Tashima enters race

Gianni Infantino could face his first serious challenge for the FIFA presidency after Japanese football administrator Kohzo Tashima declared his intention to contest the March election.

Tashima, a member of the FIFA Council and honorary president of the Japan Football Association (JFA), is emerging as a potential candidate capable of attracting opposition support as efforts gather pace to prevent Infantino from securing another term.

The Japanese administrator is expected to receive the backing of his national association and secure the five endorsements required to become an official candidate.

His potential candidacy could also reshape the political landscape ahead of the election, with UEFA reportedly working to build opposition against Infantino and expected to throw its weight behind Tashima if he becomes the incumbent’s only challenger.

Europe’s support would give the Japanese a significant starting point, while factions within the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and CONCACAF could also rally behind him.

However, whether that backing will be enough to unseat Infantino remains uncertain, given the incumbent’s influence within world football’s governing body.

UEFA support could give Tashima major election boost

The FIFA presidential election will be decided by the 211 member associations, each holding one vote, with a candidate requiring at least 106 votes to secure victory.

If Tashima becomes Infantino’s sole challenger, UEFA is expected to provide him with overwhelming support from its 55 member associations.

That could make Europe a crucial voting bloc for the Japanese, who may also attract support from countries unhappy with Infantino’s leadership in other confederations.

Although the AFC has publicly backed the FIFA president, there are indications that Tashima could still attract votes from within Asia.

AFC president Sheikh Salman recently reversed his position on Infantino, announcing the confederation’s support for the incumbent at its Congress two weeks ago.

His change of stance, however, does not necessarily guarantee unanimous backing from Asian member associations.

Tashima could also secure votes from CONCACAF, which represents North and Central America and the Caribbean, potentially strengthening his chances of building a coalition against Infantino.

The deadline for candidates to declare their intention to contest the presidency is November 18, leaving room for further developments before the election.

Can Tashima gather enough votes to defeat Infantino?

Sky Sports News journalist Kaveh Solhekol believes Tashima’s entry into the race will concern Infantino, particularly if the Japanese administrator becomes the preferred candidate of those seeking a change in FIFA leadership.

“Kozo Tashima certainly gives Gianni Infantino something to worry about. I think Infantino would much prefer to stand unopposed,” Solhekol said.

However, he questioned whether the former Japan international could secure the 106 votes needed to win the election.

“You have to remember how FIFA’s presidential election works. FIFA has 211 members, and each national association has one vote. So you need the backing of 106 FAs to win.”

Solhekol believes Tashima could command almost all of UEFA’s votes while picking up additional support from parts of Asia and CONCACAF.

Nevertheless, he remains cautious about the Japanese administrator’s ability to reach the required threshold.

“Can he get to 106? I’m not so sure,” he added.

Arsene Wenger could emerge as surprise challenger

Attention is also turning to the possibility of former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger entering the presidential contest.

Wenger, who currently serves as FIFA’s chief of global football development, has been mentioned as a potential candidate, although there has been no confirmation that he intends to stand.

Solhekol believes the Frenchman’s involvement would significantly change the conversation surrounding the election.

“There’s been lots of talk about Arsene Wenger potentially entering the race. He’s a legendary figure in football, somebody who, of course, used to manage Arsenal. At the moment, he’s FIFA’s chief of global football development.

“I think if he were to come out and stand, that would make real, real headlines. That would be front-page news.”

While questioning whether Wenger could gather enough votes to defeat Infantino, Solhekol believes his profile and reputation could make him a serious contender.

He also pointed to Infantino’s own unexpected rise to the presidency in 2016 as evidence that the outcome of FIFA elections can change dramatically.

Infantino was not initially considered the favourite to succeed Sepp Blatter but entered the contest after Michel Platini withdrew.

“So lots of things can change. At the moment, it looks like Infantino is the favourite, despite all the controversies and scandals. But watch this space, because sometimes FIFA presidential elections can be very, very exciting,” Solhekol said.

Who is Kohzo Tashima?

Tashima brings considerable experience in football administration and international football to the potential challenge.

The former Japan international moved into coaching after his playing career, taking charge of the country’s Under-17 and Under-20 national teams before transitioning into administration.

He subsequently occupied several senior positions within the JFA, including general secretary, vice-president and president.

He has also served on the AFC executive committee and currently sits on the FIFA Council.

His experience across domestic, continental and international football administration could strengthen his credentials as he seeks support ahead of the March election.