FIFA's No. 3 official Kevin Lamour resigns after opposing Infantino's investor plan

Kevin Lamour, a key figure within FIFA holding the title of director general of operations, has departed from his role, the global football governing body confirmed Monday. Lamour, considered the third-highest-ranking official at FIFA, had been a vocal critic of FIFA President Gianni Infantino's now-abandoned plan to bring private investors into the organization.

“

FIFA can confirm that the collaboration between FIFA and Kevin Lamour, in his capacity as FIFA Director General of Operations, has ended on August 17, 2026. FIFA thanks Kevin for his two years of service and wishes him well for the future. No further comment will be made on this subject.

"FIFA can confirm that the collaboration between FIFA and Kevin Lamour, in his capacity as FIFA Director General of Operations, has ended on August 17, 2026," a representative told AFP. "FIFA thanks Kevin for his two years of service and wishes him well for the future. No further comment will be made on this subject."

Lamour's public opposition to Infantino's investor plan, which was ultimately shelved, placed him at odds with the FIFA president. In a statement released on July 31, Lamour had written, "This is the project of one person... Not only must this project not see the light of day... but the time has now come for football leaders to ask themselves the right questions and make the right decisions." He added that FIFA employees "deserve better than contempt and intimidation" and stated he would understand and respect any decision that led to his job loss, asserting he would "sleep well that night."

“

This is the project of one person... Not only must this project not see the light of day... but the time has now come for football leaders to ask themselves the right questions and make the right decisions.

Lamour's departure adds to a period of internal tension within FIFA, particularly concerning its governance and financial direction under Infantino, who is seeking re-election in March 2027. While Lamour's specific reasons for leaving were not detailed beyond the confirmation of his departure, his previous public stance against Infantino's strategic initiatives suggests a significant divergence in vision.

“

FIFA employees “deserve better than contempt and intimidation,” he insisted. “If this means that I lose my job, so be it (...) I will understand and respect that decision. At least I will sleep well tonight.”