# Japan’s Kozo Tashima challenges Infantino for Fifa presidency

> Japan’s Kozo Tashima vows to restore Fifa integrity by running against Infantino in March election.
- Title: Japan’s Kozo Tashima challenges Infantino for Fifa presidency
- Summary: Japan’s Kozo Tashima vows to restore Fifa integrity by running against Infantino in March election.
- Keywords: kozo tashima, fifa presidency, gianni infantino, japan football association, fifa integrity, football development, 2026 fifa election, Malay Mail
- Source: Malay Mail — https://malaymail.com/news/sports/2026/11/06/japans-kozo-tashima-challenges-infantino-vows-to-restore-fifa-integrity/242169
- Published: 2026-11-06T21:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: kozo tashima, fifa presidency, gianni infantino, japan football association, fifa integrity, football development, 2026 fifa election, news, world
## Kozo Tashima’s football journey
Kozo Tashima started playing football after watching the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and dedicated his life to developing Japanese football.
## Tashima announces Fifa candidacy
Tashima, 68, will run against Gianni Infantino in March’s Fifa presidential election, becoming Japan’s first candidate for the role.
## Tashima’s career in football
Tashima served as a football player, coach, and bureaucrat with a reputation for being a safe pair of hands in Japanese football.
## Tashima’s leadership impact
He fired Japan coach Vahid Halilhodzic two months before the 2018 World Cup, replacing him with Akira Nishino.
## Tashima’s integrity focus
Tashima says Fifa must uphold integrity in this age of business and money, criticizing Infantino’s potential lack of election.
## Tashima’s concerns about Fifa
He criticizes Fifa’s decision to lift a ban on United States player Folarin Balogun and travel restrictions on Iran’s World Cup team.
## Tashima’s JFA backing
Tashima has the Japan Football Association’s support for his Fifa presidency bid, aiming to promote transparency and fairness.
## Tashima’s vision for Fifa
Tashima says his presidency bid is not about winning or losing but sharing Japan’s football integrity globally.
## Key takeaway

Japan’s Kozo Tashima, a former football player and coach, announced candidacy for Fifa presidency to challenge incumbent Gianni Infantino in March election, emphasizing sport’s integrity amid commercial pressures.