FIFA’s Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour has departed from the organization, as confirmed by FIFA officials on Monday. This move follows Lamour’s public opposition to President Gianni Infantino’s proposal to sell a share of FIFA’s tournament business, including the prestigious World Cup.
A spokesperson for FIFA announced, “The working relationship between FIFA and Kevin Lamour has concluded on August 17, 2026. FIFA appreciates Lamour’s two years of service and wishes him success in his future endeavors. No further details will be provided on this matter.”
According to Sky News, FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom notified staff and Council members of Lamour’s exit through a letter, stating that both parties mutually agreed to part ways after recent discussions.
Lamour had raised concerns about the proposal last month, accusing FIFA staff of being misled and criticizing it as a singular individual’s initiative. He emphasized that their primary goal is to serve football and not the personal agenda of someone who misinterprets their role within FIFA.
Notably, Lamour had joined FIFA in November 2024 and had been a part of Infantino’s close circle during his presidential election campaign in 2016. His departure comes in the wake of Carlos Cordeiro, a senior adviser to Infantino, resigning in protest against the proposal, labeling it as detrimental to football’s interests.
The controversy surrounding Infantino’s plan to involve private investors in FIFA’s commercial ventures has sparked significant backlash within the soccer community, with concerns raised about potential boycotts of future World Cup editions by European nations.
