Who is Kohzo Tashima? Meet Gianni Infantino's opponent in FIFA Presidential Election
Tashima will challenge Infantino for the presidential spot.
Gianni Infantino now has his first significant opponent for the FIFA presidency following the announcement of Japanese football leader Kohzo Tashima’s desire to run in the March election.
With the support of his national organisation, Kohzo Tashima, an honorary president of the Japan Football Association (JFA) and member of the FIFA Council, is anticipated to obtain the five endorsements needed to become an official contender.
If Tashima is the incumbent’s sole opponent, UEFA is anticipated to heavily support him in an effort to keep Infantino from winning another term.
Tashima’s words: “It’s not about winning or losing but about conveying to the world the honest, sound and upright attitude that Japanese football has built. What FIFA needs now are these values that we have protected. I have decided to run in order to make this appeal to the world.”
Who is Kohzo Tashima?
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The honorary president of the Japan Football Association (JFA) and a member of the FIFA Council is a Japanese football administrator, ex-manager, and former international player.
Kohzo Tashima was a striker and midfielder who played for Furukawa Electric in the Japan Soccer League and earned seven caps for the Japanese national team. After completing his studies at the German Sport University Cologne, he coached several Japanese youth and national teams, notably the Japan U-17 squad at the 2001 U-17 World Championship.
He serves on the FIFA Council (since 2015) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) executive committee, and served as JFA president from 2016 to 2024 before becoming honorary president.
Kohzo Tashima declared his intention to challenge incumbent Gianni Infantino in the FIFA presidential election, which is set for March 18, 2027, in Rabat, Morocco, in November 2026.
When is FIFA’s presidential election?
It’s on March 18, 2027, in Rabat, Morocco.
Has Kohzo Tashima been president before?
Yes, he is an ex president of Japan Football Association. But not president of FIFA.
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