FIFA has officially announced the departure of Kevin Lamour, who served as the Chief Operating Officer, following his public criticism of President Gianni Infantino’s proposal to sell a stake in FIFA’s tournament business, which includes the World Cup. The working relationship between FIFA and Lamour ended on August 17, 2026. FIFA expressed gratitude for Lamour’s two years of service and wished him success in his future endeavors without providing further comments on the matter.
The decision for Lamour to leave was mutually agreed upon after discussions between Lamour and FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom. Lamour had voiced his opposition to the proposal, stating that FIFA staff had been misled and calling it a project driven by one individual’s agenda. He emphasized that their duty was to serve football, not the personal interests of someone who mistakenly perceived themselves as embodying FIFA’s mission.
Lamour, who joined FIFA in November 2024 and was previously involved in Infantino’s campaign for the presidency in 2016, had been part of the inner circle supporting Infantino. His criticism came in the wake of another senior advisor to Infantino, Carlos Cordeiro, resigning in protest against the sell-off plan, labeling it as detrimental to football.
The controversy stems from Infantino’s proposal to involve private investors in FIFA’s commercial interests, sparking backlash within the soccer community. This move led to concerns, including the potential boycott of future World Cup editions by European nations. Cordeiro’s resignation further highlighted the discontent within FIFA over the sell-off plan, illustrating the divisions within the organization.