Japan football association official resigns after AFC aligns with Infantino

What happened: Takeshi Okada, one of three Japan Football Association vice presidents, resigned, saying responses surrounding the FIFA World Cup did not align with his beliefs. Why it matters: Okada said he could not accept the responses as a sportsman, and acknowledged practical reasons for aligning with the AFC while choosing to step down entirely of his own volition. Key numbers: Okada coached Japan at the World Cup in 1998 and 2010. Infantino has headed FIFA since 2016 and is running for re-election in March to a fourth and final term.

Takeshi Okada, one of three Japan Football Association vice presidents, resigned, saying responses surrounding the FIFA World Cup did not align with his beliefs.

Okada said he could not accept the responses as a sportsman, and acknowledged practical reasons for aligning with the AFC while choosing to step down entirely of his own volition. Key numbers: Okada coached Japan at the World Cup in 1998 and 2010. Infantino has headed FIFA since 2016 and is running for re-election in March to a fourth and final term.