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Japan's Kozo Tashima enters the race to unseat FIFA boss Infantino

Kozo Tashima, 68, honorary president of the Japan Football Association, will run for FIFA president in March, challenging Gianni Infantino's bid for a fourth term.

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A football federation official in a suit speaking at a podium in front of a FIFA logo backdrop.
Image: 조선일보

One of the biggest names in Japanese football now wants the top job in the world game. Kozo Tashima, 68, honorary president of the Japan Football Association (JFA), is running for FIFA president.

The election takes place next March. Tashima is the second candidate to challenge the current president, Gianni Infantino, 56, from Switzerland, who is going for a fourth term.

Tashima is regarded as a heavyweight of Japanese football, so this is a serious bid from inside the sport's establishment.

A quick recap: Infantino was first elected in February 2016 at the FIFA congress in Zurich. In March 2023 he was re-elected by acclamation in Kigali, Rwanda, which means he was confirmed without a contested vote.

This time, he will face at least two challengers. The vote is still several months away, so the field could change before March.

#fifa#kozo tashima#gianni infantino#japan football association#fifa election
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Tashima challenges Infantino in FIFA presidential race · 4 updates

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  1. Gianni Infantino elected FIFA president at Zurich congress
  2. Infantino re-elected FIFA president by acclamation in Kigali
  3. Japan's Kozo Tashima wants to take on Gianni Infantino for the FIFA presidency
  4. Japan's Kozo Tashima enters the race to unseat FIFA boss Infantino

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