Sports
Okada quits Japan soccer post as AFC aligns behind Infantino
October 28, 2026 at 07:58 PM
Coverage
3 reports · 1 in Arabic, 2 in English · over 8 hours
Takeshi Okada resigned as Japan Football Association vice president, citing objections to the politics surrounding FIFA President Gianni Infantino's re-election bid.
- Okada, who coached Japan at the 1998 and 2010 World Cups, resigned days after the Asian Football Confederation endorsed Infantino at a Tokyo assembly.
- Infantino, seeking a fourth term in the March 18 election in Rabat, drew criticism over his failed plan to sell World Cup profit stakes.
- AFC president Sheikh Salman endorsed Infantino after joining other FIFA vice presidents in August in criticizing him for "deception" and a "fundamental breach of trust."
- Jordan's Prince Ali said the AFC assembly was "pure politics at the behest of Gianni Infantino," which the AFC called unsubstantiated.


