FIFA confirmed on 17 August 2026 that Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour has departed the organization, weeks after he publicly criticized President Gianni Infantino’s proposal to sell a stake in FIFA’s tournament business, including the World Cup.
A FIFA spokesperson stated that the working relationship between FIFA and Lamour had ended, with the organization expressing gratitude for his two years of service. No further comment was provided on the matter.
Lamour’s criticism and the abandoned proposal
Lamour had described the proposal as “the project of one person” and accused FIFA staff of being “deceived” over the plan. His remarks came amid widespread opposition to the initiative, which would have created a $20 billion subsidiary to manage FIFA’s tournaments and sell up to a 20% stake to external investors. FIFA subsequently abandoned the proposal following the backlash.
In a statement, Lamour emphasized FIFA’s mission to serve football, stating: “Not to serve the personal interests of a person who, unfortunately, believes he embodies FIFA when he is supposed to be at its service.”
Internal dissent and leadership turmoil
Lamour’s departure follows internal challenges to Infantino’s leadership. Carlos Cordeiro, a senior adviser to Infantino, resigned in protest over the proposal, calling it “a bad deal for football.” The internal dissent occurred as FIFA faced broader scrutiny over its governance and decision-making processes.
FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom informed staff and Council members of Lamour’s departure in a letter, noting that the two sides had “agreed to part ways” following recent discussions.
Background and timeline
Lamour joined FIFA in November 2024, having previously been part of Infantino’s inner circle during his 2016 presidential campaign. His tenure included overseeing relationships with stakeholders and the delivery of several key projects. The World Cup sell-off proposal marked a significant point of contention within FIFA’s leadership and staff.