Tokyo, Nov 07 (V7N)- Japan Football Association (JFA) honorary president Kozo Tashima has announced his intention to challenge incumbent Gianni Infantino in next year's FIFA presidential election, becoming the first Japanese candidate to seek the top position in world football.

The 68-year-old former Japan international announced his decision on Thursday (November 5) following a meeting of the JFA board of directors in Tokyo. He said he was grateful to make the announcement with the full support of the Japanese football governing body.

"This is not a matter of winning or losing. Rather, my goal is to show the world the integrity and high ethical standards that Japanese football has developed. FIFA now needs the values we have protected for a long time. I have decided to run in the election to convey this message to the world," Tashima said.

However, he must secure nominations from at least five of FIFA's 211 member associations to qualify as a candidate. The deadline for submitting candidacies is November 18. Some Southeast Asian countries and European associations critical of Infantino are reportedly expected to support him.

Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Ramon Vega has also announced his intention to challenge Infantino, making Tashima the second candidate to publicly enter the race.

Infantino has faced criticism following an unsuccessful proposal in July to involve private investors in a new FIFA commercial entity responsible for rights linked to major competitions, including the World Cup. The proposal was subsequently abandoned, prompting further questions about his leadership.

Despite the criticism, Infantino has received significant backing from football's continental governing bodies. Last month, Asian Football Confederation President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa endorsed his bid for another term, strengthening his position ahead of the election.

Tashima has extensive experience in football administration. He has been a member of the FIFA Council since 2015 and served as JFA president from 2016 to 2024. Tsuneyasu Miyamoto succeeded him in the latter position in 2024.

Now serving as JFA honorary president, Tashima is seeking to use his decades of experience in football administration to compete for the leadership of world football's governing body.

The FIFA presidential election is scheduled for March 18, 2027, in Rabat, Morocco. The final list of candidates will depend on the required nominations and eligibility procedures.

END/SMA/AJ