Taito Kojima: How He Became Japan’s Youngest Licensed FIFA Agent and CEO of Mundo Rico (S2 E28)

In this episode of The Insider’s Lounge, we sit down with Taito Kojima, who shares his remarkable journey to becoming Japan’s youngest licensed FIFA agent and the CEO of Mundo Rico.

Taito reflects on his early soccer memories growing up in a football-driven household, guided by the influence of his father—a former professional player. By the age of 12, he was already working in the soccer industry, laying the groundwork for what would become a fast-moving and globally connected career.

At just 19, Taito earned his FIFA agent license—overcoming language barriers, age-based skepticism, and the high-pressure exam process along the way.

He shares how he began building relationships with clubs across Europe, including a chaotic but pivotal trip to Belgium that led to two key player signings at KV Kortrijk. Taito also breaks down what European clubs look for in Japanese players, why Scandinavian leagues could be the next key destination, and the cultural and competitive challenges players face when moving abroad.

Later in the episode, he explains how Mundo Rico identifies and recruits talent, how he’s dealt with stigma as a young professional in soccer, and how he evaluates the right environment for his players to grow. He also opens up about his personal development and the vision he’s building for the future of his agency.

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Chapters:
00:00 Intro  
01:00 First Soccer Memories & Playing Background  
02:55 Family Influence & Taito’s Father’s Impact  
04:37 Working in Professional Soccer at Age 12  
13:32 Becoming the Youngest Licensed FIFA Agent at 19  
18:09 Language Barrier Challenges with FIFA Agent Exam  
19:18 Creating a Soccer Pathway Between Japan & Europe  
22:56 How a Chaotic Trip to Belgium Led to Signing Two Players  
28:59 What European Clubs Look for in Japanese Players  
30:31 Why Scandinavian Leagues Are the Next Step for Japanese Talent  
32:32 Challenges Japanese Players Face When Moving Abroad  
35:01 How Mundo Rico Scouts and Recruits Players  
38:18 Breaking Stereotypes as a Young Professional in Soccer  
42:15 Navigating Club Politics and Finding the Right Fit for Players  
45:25 Personal and Professional Growth as a Soccer Agent  
47:55 Vision and Growth Plans for Mundo Rico  
50:02 Quick Fire Questions  
54:15 Outro

Chapters

• 0:00 Intro
• 1:00 First Soccer Memories & Playing Background
• 2:55 Family Influence & Taito’s Father’s Impact
• 4:37 Working in Professional Soccer at Age 12
• 13:32 Becoming the Youngest Licensed FIFA Agent at 19
• 18:09 Language Barrier Challenges with FIFA Agent Exam
• 19:18 Creating a Soccer Pathway Between Japan & Europe
• 22:56 How a Chaotic Trip to Belgium Led to Signing Two Players
• 28:59 What European Clubs Look for in Japanese Players
• 30:31 Why Scandinavian Leagues Are the Next Step for Japanese Talent
• 32:32 Challenges Japanese Players Face When Moving Abroad
• 35:01 How Mundo Rico Scouts and Recruits Players
• 38:18 Breaking Stereotypes as a Young Professional in Soccer
• 42:15 Navigating Club Politics and Finding the Right Fit for Players
• 45:25 Personal and Professional Growth as a Soccer Agent
• 47:55 Vision and Growth Plans for Mundo Rico
• 50:02 Quick Fire Questions
• 54:15 Outro