Former Japan Football Association (JFA) president Kozo Tashima has officially announced his candidacy for the upcoming FIFA presidential election. The 68-year-old will be the first Japanese candidate to challenge incumbent Gianni Infantino.
Tashima declared his intention to run in March, stating, "The worst thing would be if he (Infantino) were to continue without an election." He added, "I feel this is a test of whether FIFA has the ability to cleanse itself," emphasising his belief that sport must uphold integrity in an age dominated by business and financial interests.
Experience forged in Germany
Born in Kumamoto, Tashima started playing football after watching the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and was called up to the Japanese national team while at university. After retiring as a player, he studied at the German Sport University Cologne to become a coach, where he was struck by the highly scientific and systematic approach to training in Germany at the time. He used this experience upon returning home, working on development programmes and coaching Japan's youth national teams within the JFA.
He was elected JFA president in 2016 while also serving on the Asian Football Confederation executive committee and the FIFA Council. He made the decisive move to fire manager Vahid Halilhodzic two months before the 2018 World Cup, with the team eventually reaching the round of 16 before losing to Belgium. Tashima said he was not responsible for hiring Halilhodzic but accepted responsibility as president. He stepped down as JFA chief in 2024 and was named honorary president.
Aiming for global contribution
Tashima explained that his presidential bid is not about winning or losing but stems from a desire "to contribute to world football's development." He cited specific concerns, including FIFA's lifting of a ban on US player Folarin Balogun following intervention from former US President Donald Trump and travel restrictions placed on Iran's World Cup team by US authorities, warning of how political influence can undermine sporting integrity.
The Japan national team is currently in strong form, unbeaten in their last four matches with three wins and a draw. Their most recent result was a 2-1 victory over New Zealand on October 5. In that match, the team scored in the 11th and 22nd minute, both within the first half's goal minutes, to secure an early two-goal lead. As the national team performs consistently, a senior figure from Japanese football advocating for principled governance on the global stage is set to draw fresh attention to the domestic football landscape. Tashima's challenge will be decided at the FIFA Congress next year.
Background and full detail: The Hindu Sport
