Japan’s Tashima challenges Infantino for FIFA presidency
The former president of the Japan Football Association has been nominated for the FIFA presidency; a March 2027 election date has yet to be confirmed.
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Kozo Tashima has been nominated for the FIFA presidency. It has not yet been confirmed whether the election will take place in March 2027. The Japan Football Association decided to nominate him, while the Caribbean Football Union expressed support for a new term for incumbent president Gianni Infantino.
The Japan Football Association announced the nomination on Friday. Tashima was previously president of the Japanese association and is honorary president of the organisation. He also sits on the FIFA Council, the governing body of world football.
To appear on the ballot, Tashima must, according to international reports, receive support from at least five national associations in order to meet that participation requirement. His candidacy has therefore been announced, but is not automatically final for the election.
His precise term of office since the year 2016 mentioned here, and any personal statement on re-election, have not been confirmed. The Caribbean Football Union, which represents 25 FIFA members, expressed support for a new term for the Swiss national, according to reports. That gives Infantino an important bloc of associations, but does not determine the election on its own.
Tashima presents himself as a candidate with experience in international football administration. His campaign will probably centre on how FIFA deals with transparency, representation and the distribution of resources among national associations. The sources do not yet contain a detailed election programme.
An election date in March 2027 has not yet been confirmed. For Dutch football organisations, the key issue is what course FIFA chooses on financial flows, tournaments, fixture congestion and administrative accountability. The current statements of support provide an initial picture of the balance of power, but not yet the result.
Also show the region and a close-up
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Tashima has been nominated by the Japan Football Association.
- Infantino is a candidate for a new term.
- The Caribbean Football Union supports Infantino.
- The FIFA election will take place in March 2027.
Left
Arguments Emphasises transparency, independent oversight and a fairer distribution of FIFA resources among smaller associations.
Values Equal representation, accountable governance and the protection of players and supporters.
Consequences Fears that the concentration of power in the current leadership will delay reforms.
Centre
Arguments Wants to combine continuity with verifiable reforms and an election in which all associations can weigh up their interests.
Values Institutional stability, proportionality and administrative accountability.
Consequences Warns that a sharp power struggle could delay global football decisions.
Right
Arguments Emphasises that FIFA above all needs to govern predictably, organise tournaments and provide financial support to associations.
Values Efficiency, continuity and national autonomy.
Consequences Fears that administrative conflicts will harm the sporting calendar, revenues and international cooperation.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The candidacy has been confirmed by the Japan Football Association and independent sports reporting. The Caribbean Football Union’s support was reported separately; the article does not present that support as an election result.
- confirmed Kozo Tashima has been nominated for the 2027 FIFA presidency. — Official decision by the Japan Football Association. source
- confirmed Tashima was president of the Japan Football Association. — Mentioned in JFA and international reporting. source
- confirmed The Caribbean Football Union supports Infantino. — Reported by The Washington Post. source
- confirmed Tashima must receive support from at least five associations to appear on the ballot. — Reported in international sports coverage. source
Editor's note
Tashima’s nomination has been officially confirmed by the Japan Football Association. The Caribbean Football Union’s support and the eligibility requirements are based on international reporting; there is no election result yet.Sources
- Recommendation of Kozo Tashima for FIFA presidency — Japan Football Association
- The Fifa hopeful hoping to take Infantino down — Yahoo Sports, Reuters
- Caribbean Football Union endorses Infantino — The Washington Post
More on this in Dutch media
- NRC — „fifa kozo tashima”
- NU.nl — „fifa kozo tashima”
- De Telegraaf — „fifa kozo tashima”