FIFA Executive Who Criticized Infantino's World Cup Sale Plan Departs

Kevin Lamour, FIFA's chief operating officer, has departed from soccer's governing body, weeks after publicly criticizing President Gianni Infantino's controversial plan to sell a stake in the World Cup's commercial rights.

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FIFA can confirm that the working relationship between FIFA and Kevin Lamour as FIFA's chief operating officer has ended on 17 August 2026.

FIFA confirmed Lamour's departure on Monday, August 17, 2026. A spokesperson stated, "FIFA can confirm that the working relationship between FIFA and Kevin Lamour as FIFA's chief operating officer has ended on 17 August 2026." The organization thanked Lamour for his two years of service and wished him well, adding that no further comment would be made.

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FIFA thanks Kevin for his two years of service and wishes him the best of luck for the future. No further comment will be made on the matter.

Lamour had been vocal in his opposition to the proposal, which aimed to create a $US20 billion subsidiary to manage FIFA's tournament business and sell up to a 20% stake to external investors. He stated that FIFA staff had been "deceived" over the plan, which he characterized as "the project of one person."

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FIFA staff had been 'deceived' over Infantino's plan to sell a stake in the World Cup to external investors.

"Our mission … is to serve football. Not to serve the personal interests of a person who, unfortunately, believes he embodies FIFA when he is supposed to be at its service," Lamour said in a statement last month. His comments followed the resignation of Carlos Cordeiro, a senior adviser to Infantino, who also protested the proposal, calling it "a bad deal for football." FIFA ultimately abandoned the plan following widespread backlash.

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Our mission … is to serve football. Not to serve the personal interests of a person who, unfortunately, believes he embodies FIFA when he is supposed to be at its service.