FIFA chief operating officer Kevin Lamour has left the world governing body less than three weeks after publicly criticising President Gianni Infantino’s controversial plan to sell World Cup interests to private investors.
FIFA confirmed that Lamour’s working relationship with the organisation ended on Monday, August 17, 2026, but did not comment on reports that he was dismissed.
“FIFA can confirm that the working relationship between FIFA and Kevin Lamour as Chief Operating Officer has ended on 17 August 2026,” a FIFA spokesperson said.
“FIFA thanks Kevin for his two years of service and wishes him the best of luck for the future.”
Reports said FIFA staff were told about Lamour’s exit in an email from Secretary General Mattias Grafström on Monday evening.
Lamour had strongly criticised Infantino’s abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) plan last month. The proposal aimed to create a commercial subsidiary to attract private investment and manage FIFA’s major competitions, including the World Cup and Club World Cup.
Lamour called it “the project of one person” and urged football’s political leaders to “ask themselves the right questions and make the right decisions”.
He also claimed FIFA’s administration had been “deceived” over the project.
“Our mission – the mission of the hundreds of passionate, dedicated, and exemplary FIFA employees – is to serve football,” Lamour said.
He said FIFA’s leadership should unite the organisation rather than deepen divisions.
“A president must bring people together, unite them, and inspire them. Today, we are experiencing the opposite,” he said.
Lamour joined FIFA in November 2024 after working as UEFA’s deputy general secretary. He had previously worked closely with Infantino at UEFA.
