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FIFA president Gianni Infantino is said to have dropped plans to further expand the World Cup from 48 to 64 teams as he gears up to defend his position in the upcoming elections.
Infantino had been widely anticipated to run unopposed for another term leading soccer's governing body, until a contentious proposal to sell stakes in future tournaments caused his approval ratings to nosedive and cast doubt over his continued tenure.
Now, The Times reports that Infantino has also privately confirmed he will not pursue the expansion of the World Cup to 64 teams, a move widely seen as part of a broader strategy to win back skeptical supporters.
This follows the recent confirmation that Kozo Tashima, honorary chairman of the Japan Football Association (JFA), intends to challenge Infantino in the next elections scheduled for March 2027.
Reports further indicate that another candidate, backed by European governing body UEFA, is on the verge of being announced.
Who Is Kozo Tashima?
A former Japanese international, Tashima spent time coaching within his country's youth development system before being appointed vice-president of the JFA in 2010.
Tashima has served on the Asian Football Confederation Executive Committee for the past 15 years and has sat on FIFA's Council for the last 11 years. He now seeks to go one step further by claiming Infantino's role at the helm of the organization.
Pointing to concerns over Infantino's management of the Folarin Balogun suspension controversy and the treatment of the Iran national team, Tashima told reporters: "I was very disappointed that outside forces intervened and influenced what was happening on the pitch.
"I don't think we've reached the point where we have a chance of winning. However, the important thing is to raise our hands and get involved. I think it would be good for the JFA to be able to send a message to the outside world, that this is how Japan feels.
"Since I'm running, I want to win, but I think there are things that are more important than winning or losing."
It is clear that Tashima is not banking on victory. Infantino continues to hold the support of the Confederation of African Football and had previously enjoyed the backing of Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman. Whether that support holds following Tashima's announcement remains to be seen.
Both UEFA and Concacaf, the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football, have called for Infantino's removal and must now decide whether to throw their weight behind Tashima or rally around another, as yet unnamed, candidate.