11/05/2026 04:47:00
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11/05 04:42 CST FIFA Council member Tashima to run as election candidate
against Infantino, Japanese media report
FIFA Council member Tashima to run as election candidate against Infantino,
Japanese media report
TOKYO (AP) --- FIFA Council member Kohzo Tashima intends to run for president
of the global soccer body against incumbent Gianni Infantino, Japanese media
reported Thursday after a meeting of the national soccer federation.
Tashima is the first serious rival to Infantino to emerge since the FIFA leader
provoked a furor in global soccer in July with a plan to sell stakes in future
World Cup profits to private investors.
Japanese newspaper Asahi reported that Tashima announced his intention to run
in the election next March, and that board members of Japan's soccer
federation, JFA, unanimously agreed to back him. Sports newspaper Nikkan Sports
also reported the news.
The JFA didn't immediately respond to a request for comment by The Associated
Press.
The 68-year-old Tashima is a former Japan national team player and soccer
federation president who has been on FIFA's ruling committee since 2015 when
Sepp Blatter was president.
Tashima has a reputation as a respected, diplomatic and low-profile official in
the often murky world of soccer politics.
Candidates need formal support from five of FIFA's 211 member federations who
will vote on March 18 in Rabat, Morocco. They must also pass an eligibility
check by a three-member panel appointed by FIFA.
European soccer body UEFA has been leading efforts to find a candidate to
challenge Infantino ahead of a Nov. 18 deadline to enter the contest.
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