FIFA confirms Kevin Lamour departure after criticism of Infantino investment plan

FIFA confirmed on 17 August 2026 that Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour had left the organisation, weeks after he publicly challenged President Gianni Infantino over a proposed scheme to bring private investment into FIFA's tournament business.

Lamour joined FIFA's senior leadership in November 2024 and had previously worked closely with Infantino during his rise to the FIFA presidency. "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.

Lamour was among the most senior FIFA figures to voice opposition to Infantino's commercial restructuring proposal, which envisaged creating a subsidiary to manage major tournament rights and seeking as much as 4.2 billion US dollars from private investors for a minority stake. He publicly argued that FIFA employees had not been properly informed about the plan and questioned whether it served football's wider interests, and he acknowledged that speaking out could cost him his position.

Lamour's criticism coincided with the resignation of senior Infantino adviser Carlos Cordeiro, who also opposed the investment plan. Facing mounting resistance from football stakeholders, Infantino ultimately withdrew the proposal.

FIFA has confirmed the end of Lamour's relationship with the organisation but has not said that his public criticism was the reason for his departure, while Sky News reported that staff were told he had been sacked.

Lamour's exit comes as Infantino faces increasing pressure ahead of FIFA's presidential election in March 2027; UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF have called for an independent review of his conduct. Infantino's eligibility for another term is being challenged by critics who say 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.