Fifa has dismissed its Chief Operating Officer, Kevin Lamour, just days after he publicly challenged President Gianni Infantino over a controversial plan to sell parts of the World Cup to private investors.
Lamour’s departure was confirmed on Monday, August 17, 2026, less than two years after he joined Fifa from Uefa. The two men had worked together for years at European football’s governing body.
The fallout began on July 31, when details of Infantino’s “FFE” proposal became public. The plan aimed to bring private money into the World Cup. Lamour did not hold back.
He accused Fifa’s leadership of misleading staff and said Infantino was “acting like he owns Fifa, when he’s supposed to serve it.” He also warned that speaking up could cost him his job.
“If that means I lose my job, then so be it,” he said. “At least I’ll sleep well tonight.”
Hours later, Fifa shelved the plan.
In the same statement, Lamour said staff “deserve better than intimidation and disrespect,” adding that “many of us are no longer proud to work for Fifa.” That day, one of Infantino’s senior advisers, Carlos Cordeiro, also resigned in protest.
According to The Guardian UK, Fifa Secretary General Mattias GrafstrΓΆm informed staff of Lamour’s exit by email. Fifa later released a brief statement:
“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.”
Lamour first joined Uefa in 2007 and rose to become deputy secretary general before moving to Fifa.
With the private investment scheme now dropped, pressure on Infantino has not eased. Calls for him to step down have continued to grow inside and outside Fifa.