FIFA has confirmed that Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour has left the organisation, weeks after publicly challenging Gianni Infantino over the president’s controversial plan to bring private investment into FIFA’s tournament business.
The timing of Lamour’s departure has raised questions over whether his criticism of Infantino’s proposal contributed to the end of his tenure, although FIFA has not given a reason for the decision. Sky News reported that staff were told Lamour had been sacked, while FIFA said only that their professional relationship had ended.
A FIFA spokesperson said: “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 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.”
Kevin Lamour had challenged Infantino’s investment plan
Lamour’s exit comes just weeks after he became one of the most senior FIFA figures to publicly oppose Infantino’s proposed restructuring of the organisation’s commercial operations.
The plan involved creating a subsidiary to handle major tournament rights and seeking up to $4.2 billion from private investors in exchange for a minority stake.
🚨 FIFA COO Kevin Lamour has been sacked after speaking out against Gianni Infantino.
🗣️ FIFA spokesperson to @talkSPORT: “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 thanks… pic.twitter.com/ljHn1Cy4Nc
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) August 17, 2026 ">
FIFA has not said why Lamour left
There is no official confirmation that Lamour was removed because of his criticism of Infantino. FIFA's statement did not describe the departure as a dismissal and offered no explanation beyond confirming that the working relationship had ended. However, Sky News reported that FIFA staff were informed Lamour had been sacked. Other reporting cited by the supplied sources described the decision as mutual, leaving the circumstances of his departure unclear. That distinction is significant given the timing. Lamour had joined FIFA's senior leadership in November 2024 and had previously worked closely with Infantino during his rise to the FIFA presidency. His public criticism of the president's plan therefore represented a rare challenge from within FIFA's senior ranks.Infantino faces fresh scrutiny
Lamour's departure comes at a difficult time for Infantino, with FIFA's next presidential election scheduled for March 2027. The FIFA president is already facing criticism from several of football's major confederations. UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF have called for an independent review of his conduct, adding to the scrutiny surrounding his leadership. Infantino's eligibility for another term has also become a point of contention. Critics argue that he has already reached FIFA's three-term limit. Infantino, however, maintains that his initial 2016-19 period should not count because he completed an interrupted mandate. Against that backdrop, the departure of a senior official who had publicly challenged one of Infantino's major proposals is likely to attract further attention. For now, FIFA has offered no indication that Lamour's criticism played a role in the decision. But with the failed investment plan, internal opposition and Infantino's future at the organisation already under scrutiny, questions over why Lamour left are unlikely to disappear quickly.About the Author
