FIFA confirms COO Kevin Lamour has left after public criticism of Infantino's investment plan

FIFA confirmed on 17 August 2026 that its working relationship with Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour had ended, the organisation said, days after Lamour publicly challenged Gianni Infantino’s proposal to bring private investment into FIFA’s tournament business. The timing of the announcement has prompted questions about whether his criticisms played a role in his departure.

Lamour joined FIFA’s senior leadership in November 2024 and had previously worked closely with Infantino during the latter’s rise to the presidency. He emerged as one of the most senior FIFA figures to oppose Infantino’s commercial restructuring plan, which proposed creating a subsidiary to handle major tournament rights and seeking as much as 4.2 billion US dollars from private investors in exchange for a minority stake. Lamour argued that FIFA employees had not been properly informed about the proposal and questioned whether it served football’s wider interests, and he acknowledged that speaking out could cost him his position. Around the same time senior Infantino adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned after opposing the investment plan.

"FIFA can confirm that the working relationship between FIFA and Kevin Lamour as FIFA's 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. No further comment will be made on the matter," FIFA added.

Sky News reported that staff were told Lamour had been sacked, and media accounts have drawn attention to the proximity between his public dissent and the end of his tenure. FIFA has not publicly attributed his departure to his comments, and the organisation has not provided a detailed explanation of the circumstances surrounding his exit.

Lamour’s departure occurred as Infantino faced rising opposition over his leadership, with UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF calling for an independent review of his conduct. Infantino’s eligibility for another term is also being challenged; critics argue he has already reached FIFA’s three-term limit while Infantino maintains that his initial 2016-19 period should not count because he completed an interrupted mandate.

The announcement leaves no official reason for Lamour’s exit and comes ahead of FIFA’s presidential election in March 2027, a date that remains central to the wider disputes over Infantino’s proposals and leadership.