FIFA’s Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour has departed from his role at the organization after openly criticizing President Gianni Infantino’s proposal to sell a portion of FIFA’s tournament business, which includes the prestigious World Cup. The separation was officially confirmed by FIFA on Monday, with a spokesperson stating that Lamour’s tenure ended on August 17, 2026. FIFA expressed gratitude for Lamour’s two years of service and extended well wishes for his future endeavors, refraining from further commentary on the matter.
The news of Lamour’s departure was communicated to FIFA staff and Council members by FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom through a letter, indicating that both parties mutually agreed to part ways after recent discussions. Lamour had raised objections to the proposal earlier, alleging that FIFA staff had been misled and labeling the initiative as driven by one individual’s agenda.
In a statement last month, Lamour emphasized that FIFA’s primary mission is to serve football and not the personal interests of any individual. His remarks came shortly after another key figure, Carlos Cordeiro, who served as a senior adviser to Infantino, resigned in protest against the proposed plan, citing it as detrimental to football.
Having joined FIFA in November 2024, Lamour was previously associated with Infantino’s inner circle during the campaign that led to Infantino’s presidency in 2016. The departure of Lamour and the dissent expressed by various officials within FIFA underscore the controversy surrounding Infantino’s proposal to involve private investors in FIFA’s commercial ventures, particularly concerning the World Cup.