Kathmandu. Japan Football Association honorary president Kojo Tashima announced on Thursday that he will contest for the FIFA presidential post against Gianni Infantino. The election for the FIFA president will be held in March. With this announcement, Tashima has become the second person to challenge Infantino. Earlier, former Tottenham defender Ramon Vega had announced his candidacy for the post. The 68-year-old Tashima, who has also been a FIFA Council member, is a popular member of the Japanese Football Association. He said in a statement, "With the full support of the Japan Football Association, I have decided to announce my candidacy for the FIFA presidential election. I feel it is important to clearly convey to the global football community the honesty, integrity, and high ethical standards that Japanese football has long valued and built." He said, "I have decided to contest the FIFA presidential election to share these principles with the world and contribute to a better future for football." Tashima, who served as the president of the Japan Football Association from 2016 to 2024, added, "Based on the experience I have gained over the years, I will take on this challenge with a strong determination to contribute to the further development of world football." The deadline for candidates to announce their candidacy is November 18. The announcement comes as incumbent Infantino seeks re-election for his fourth and final term. He has been facing strong criticism and calls for resignation after his World Cup sales plan failed. Last month, after the Asian Football Confederation supported the 56-year-old Infantino, he was believed to be in a strong position for re-election. Infantino had previously rejected the calls for resignation, stating that he had the support of an 'overwhelming majority' of member associations.
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