FIFA has officially announced the departure of Kevin Lamour, who served as the Chief Operating Officer. This decision follows Lamour’s public criticism of President Gianni Infantino’s proposal to sell a share in FIFA’s tournament business, which includes the prestigious World Cup.
A spokesperson for FIFA confirmed that the working relationship between Lamour and the organization ended on August 17, 2026. The spokesperson expressed gratitude for Lamour’s two years of service and wished him success in his future endeavors. Further details regarding the departure were not disclosed.
The news of Lamour’s exit was communicated to FIFA staff and Council members by FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom in a letter. According to Sky News, the departure was mutually agreed upon after recent discussions between Lamour and FIFA.
In a previous statement, Lamour had openly criticized the proposal, stating that FIFA staff had been misled and describing the initiative as being driven by one individual’s agenda. He emphasized that FIFA’s core mission is to serve football and not the personal interests of any individual.
The criticism from Lamour came shortly after Carlos Cordeiro, a senior advisor to Infantino, resigned in protest against the proposal, labeling it as detrimental to football. Lamour had joined FIFA in November 2024 and had been part of Infantino’s inner circle during his successful presidential campaign in 2016.