FIFA has officially announced the departure of Kevin Lamour, the Chief Operating Officer, following his public criticism of President Gianni Infantino’s proposal to sell a stake in FIFA’s tournament business, which includes the World Cup. The working relationship between Lamour and FIFA ended on August 17, 2026, as confirmed by a FIFA spokesperson. Lamour, who served for two years, was thanked for his contributions, and FIFA wished him success in his future endeavors.
The departure of Lamour was communicated to FIFA staff and Council members by FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom in a letter. Both parties mutually agreed to part ways after recent discussions, as reported by Sky News. Lamour had expressed his opposition to the proposal in the past month, stating that FIFA staff had been misled and describing the initiative as the personal project of one individual.
Carlos Cordeiro, a senior adviser to Infantino, also resigned in protest against the proposal, calling it detrimental to football. Lamour had joined FIFA in November 2024 and had been a part of Infantino’s inner circle during the campaign for the presidency in 2016.