FIFA chief operating officer Kevin Lamour leaves after criticism of World Cup investment plan

FIFA chief operating officer Kevin Lamour has left the organisation after criticising president Gianni Infantino’s controversial and now-abandoned proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup to investors.

FIFA staff were informed of the decision by secretary general Mattias Grafstrom, who said the governing body and Lamour had “agreed to part ways”.

A FIFA spokesperson told BBC Sport: “the working relationship between FIFA and Kevin Lamour as 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.”

The message sent to FIFA employees said the decision had been reached following “careful consideration”.

“I would like to provide you with an important update regarding a change within the FIFA Administration. 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… I felt it was important that I personally provide you with this update, and I would like to express my gratitude to Kevin for these contributions and for his work and commitment on behalf of FIFA on a daily basis. I wish Kevin all the best for the future,” it said.

Lamour had publicly opposed Infantino’s plan to sell World Cup stakes, which was later withdrawn by the 56-year-old FIFA president after strong criticism from UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and CONCACAF.

He described the proposal as “the project of one person” and said FIFA’s administration had been “deceived” over the plans.

“Our mission the mission of the hundreds of passionate, dedicated, and exemplary FIFA employees is to serve football. A president must bring people together, unite them, and inspire them. Today, we are experiencing the opposite,” he had said.

Lamour also indicated that he was prepared to lose his position after speaking out against the plan.

“If that means I lose my job, then so be it,” he added. “I will understand and respect that decision. At least I’ll sleep well tonight.”

His departure comes after UEFA, CONCACAF and AFC jointly accused FIFA of a “fundamental breach of trust” and “deception” in its handling of the proposed World Cup investment structure.

The three confederations criticised Infantino and said the dispute went beyond the details of the abandoned plan.

“This is about something more fundamental: the integrity of the game, and the integrity of those elected to lead it,” the joint statement read.

“Leadership in football is not a possession. It is not about holding or demanding power to be held. It is a duty of service to the football family that entrusts it. When trust is broken through deception, when an individual places himself above the collective that entrusted him with authority, that duty has been abandoned.”