CORNERFLICK
Kozuo Tashima has announced that he will stand against Gianni Infantino in the FIFA presidential election on 18 March 2027.
Tashima sets out his challenge
The 68-year-old FIFA Council member and honorary president of the Japan Football Association said he knows it will be difficult to take on Infantino and his backers, but will do so with a 'samurai spirit'.
Tashima said FIFA needs to protect football's values, review its governance structure and bring more transparency. He said sport and football should offer a model of honesty and cooperation in a world full of uncertainty, and argued that the first step is to rebuild the management structure and restore 'football first' to the organisation.
Infantino, 56, is seeking a fourth term as FIFA president. For the first time since the 2019 and 2023 elections, he will face challengers. Alongside Tashima, former Swiss player Ramon Vega has also entered the race.
Tashima criticises World Cup row
Tashima also pointed to the controversy around US forward Folarin Balogun at the 2026 World Cup. Balogun had been suspended after being sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina, but direct intervention from Donald Trump and a call to Infantino led to the suspension being lifted and the player appearing in the round of 16 against Belgium.
Tashima said he had never seen a red card lead to such a debate and hoped nothing like it would happen again in world football. He also criticised Infantino for not answering questions about how the episode unfolded.