Lamour leaves FIFA after opposing Infantino’s World Cup sell-off plan

FIFA chief operating officer Kevin Lamour has left the organisation after publicly challenging President Gianni Infantino’s plan to sell private stakes in the World Cup. FIFA confirmed that their working relationship ended on 17 August 2026, following Lamour’s criticism of a proposed $20 billion commercial restructuring project.

Lamour had accused FIFA staff of being misled about the plan and questioned its lack of transparency. He argued that the project reflected Infantino’s personal initiative rather than a goal agreed by the organisation’s wider administration.

The former UEFA deputy general secretary had also made clear that he accepted the possibility of losing his position after speaking publicly. His comments were delivered in a statement sent to the Associated Press and published on 31 July, in which he urged football’s political leaders to examine the plan carefully and take appropriate decisions.

FIFA confirmed the end of the relationship while thanking Lamour for his two years of service and wishing him well. The organisation did not give a further explanation for his departure beyond confirming that he was no longer its chief operating officer.

Lamour joined FIFA in November 2024 after working as UEFA’s deputy general secretary. He was positioned two levels below Infantino in FIFA’s management structure.

His departure follows growing controversy around the proposed commercial restructuring, which would involve private investment connected to the World Cup. The dispute has placed FIFA’s internal decision-making and the transparency of its commercial plans at the centre of the issue.