Japan soccer boss quits over Infantino bid

Takeshi Okada resigned as vice president of the Japan Football Association on Saturday.

The 70-year-old former national team coach made the move in protest against political maneuvers surrounding FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s reelection bid. Okada led Japan in the 1998 and 2010 World Cups. The JFA published his resignation statement on Wednesday, noting the letter was dated two days after the Asian Football Confederation publicly backed Infantino.

Infantino seeks a fourth and final term in a March election. His campaign has faced criticism since July following a failed plan to sell World Cup equity stakes. The controversy involved a proposed partnership with investors led by Joshua Kushner. Kushner is the younger brother of Jared Kushner, who is married to Ivanka Trump. This connection fueled friction among European, CONCACAF, and initially Asian football leaders.

In his statement, Okada cited a personal belief that sport must embody integrity. He described recent actions regarding this year’s World Cup as a divergence from his personal convictions. "As a sportsman, I cannot accept this," Okada wrote. He acknowledged the practical reasons for aligning with the AFC’s stance, given Japan’s desire to host a men’s World Cup before 2050.

Japan’s push for a future host slot intersects with the AFC’s recent political shift. JFA President Tsuneyasu Miyamoto stated in October 2023 that Japan wanted to host the tournament before 2050. That meeting concluded with the AFC supporting Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 edition. The alliance between the two Gulf states has become a central power dynamic in Asian football.

AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa had previously joined other FIFA vice presidents in criticizing Infantino. In August, Al Khalifa, along with UEFA’s Aleksander Ceferin and CONCACAF’s Victor Montagliani, accused Infantino of deception and a fundamental breach of trust. The criticism centered on the effort to sell a permanent stake in World Cup profits to private investors.

Despite earlier opposition, Infantino retained the support of Qatar, the 2022 host. He also appeared to regain trust in Saudi Arabia, the 2034 host. Both nations serve as key intermediaries in the region. On Friday, Al Khalifa surprised many observers by announcing the AFC would now back Infantino. The shift altered the voting landscape for the upcoming contest.

The AFC represents 46 of the 211 member associations that will vote on March 18. The election is scheduled to take place in Rabat, Morocco. The 211 members act as the owners of the Swiss-based non-profit organization. Infantino has promised each member $25 million in development funds over the next four years. UEFA is currently working to identify a challenger candidate. The FIFA deadline to enter a candidate is November 18.