FIFA has sacked chief operating officer Kevin Lamour weeks after he publicly accused president Gianni Infantino of deceiving staff over World Cup sell-off plans. The French-Swiss executive had his working relationship with world football's governing body terminated on 17 August 2026.
A FIFA spokesperson confirmed the departure, thanking Lamour for his two years of service while stating that no further comment would be made on the matter. The decision follows weeks of turmoil after Infantino proposed selling stakes in the flagship tournament to private investors.
Internal email informs staff
Staff were made aware of the abrupt departure through an email sent on Tuesday night by FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafström. Sources claimed to Daily Mail Sport that Grafström, rather than Infantino, personally delivered the news to Lamour. FIFA has been contacted for comment regarding the claim.
In his letter to FIFA council members and vice presidents, Grafström wrote: "Following recent discussions, FIFA and our Chief Operating Officer, Kevin Lamour have agreed to part ways. This decision was made after careful consideration and with great respect for Kevin, both personally and professionally."
Grafström noted that Lamour joined FIFA in November 2024 and oversaw a period of significant change, including improved relationships with stakeholders and the delivery of several significant projects of joint interest. He expressed gratitude for Lamour's daily commitment and wished him the best for the future.
The FIFA Council serves as the main strategic decision-making organ of world football's governing body, comprising 37 members representing regional confederations from across global football.
Criticism of World Cup sell-off plan
The dismissal follows an explosive statement released by Lamour, declaring that staff had been "deceived" by Infantino over his proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors, a plan that has since been abandoned.
Speaking to the Associated Press, Lamour criticised the proposal directly: "It is the project of one person. Not only must this project not go ahead.. but the time has now come for football political leaders to ask themselves the right questions and make the right decisions."
Lamour acknowledged at the time that speaking out publicly against Infantino could cost him his job. "If that means I lose my job, then so be it," Lamour told the Associated Press. "I will understand and respect that decision. At least I'll sleep well tonight."
Background on FIFA operations
FIFA, the international governing body for association football based in Zurich, Switzerland, relies on the quadrennial World Cup as its primary source of commercial revenue. A chief operating officer within the organisation manages daily administrative functions, tournament logistics, and commercial stakeholder relationships under the supervision of the secretary general and president.
Infantino has served as FIFA president since 2016, leading the administration through major structural reforms and tournament expansions. The proposal to bring private investors into World Cup equity marked an unprecedented commercial shift, drawing intense internal and external pushback before being withdrawn.
Further executive departures
Lamour is the latest high-profile departure from FIFA linked to the controversial investment strategy. Carlos Cordeiro, senior advisor to Infantino, resigned from his role in July after citing explicit opposition to the World Cup sell-off plans.
Cordeiro, a sports executive who previously served as president of the United States Soccer Federation, had advised Infantino on major strategic initiatives prior to stepping down.
