Japan Football Association vice-president Takeshi Okada has resigned following disagreements over controversies surrounding FIFA and the management of the World Cup.
According to AFP, the former Japan national team coach announced his resignation on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, citing differences between his personal values and recent decisions by football authorities.
Okada’s departure comes a week after Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa publicly supported Gianni Infantino’s re-election bid as FIFA president.
The endorsement followed criticism of Infantino’s proposal to allow private investors into major FIFA competitions, including the World Cup.
Okada resigns over FIFA integrity concerns
Okada, who managed Japan at the 1998 and 2010 World Cups, said his resignation was a personal decision.
He maintained that recent responses to controversies involving international football conflicted with the principles he had upheld throughout his career.
“Throughout my career I have treasured the social value of sport based on my conviction that sport must be conducted with integrity,” he said.
“However, with regard to the series of responses surrounding the recent FIFA World Cup, there is a significant gap between those responses and my own beliefs, and as a sportsman I cannot accept them.”
The former coach, who served as one of three JFA vice-presidents, stressed that he was stepping down “entirely of my own volition”.
AFC backs Infantino despite earlier criticism
Okada’s resignation follows disagreements among international football bodies over Infantino’s leadership and proposed investment reforms.
The AFC previously joined UEFA and CONCACAF in condemning plans to introduce private investment into FIFA’s major competitions.
In a joint letter, the three continental football organisations declared that football “belongs to no individual”.
However, AFC president Sheikh Salman subsequently endorsed Infantino’s re-election during a meeting in Tokyo.
Infantino, who has led FIFA since 2016, apologised following the failure of the private investment proposal.
He is seeking a fourth and final term as FIFA president, with the election scheduled for March 2027.
Okada explains decision to leave Japanese football role
Okada acknowledged the importance of maintaining a working relationship between Japanese football authorities and the AFC.
He explained that he understood the practical reasons for Japan to align its position with the continental governing body.
“Taking into account our relationship with the AFC and the impact on Japanese football, I do understand that there are practical reasons for aligning our stance with that of the AFC,” he said.
Nevertheless, he maintained that his decision had been “reached after careful and repeated deliberation”.
His resignation highlights growing divisions within international football over FIFA’s leadership and the direction of the sport.
