FIFA Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour has left the organization weeks after publicly accusing President Gianni Infantino of deceiving staff over a controversial World Cup private equity proposal.
FIFA Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour has departed the football governing body amid the ongoing fallout from President Gianni Infantino's controversial World Cup sell-off plan. A FIFA spokesperson confirmed to Britain's Press Association on August 17 that the working relationship between the organization and Lamour had ended, thanking him for his two years of service.
Lamour, who was based in Zurich, issued a statement to The Associated Press on August 1, 2026, stating that staff were "deceived" by Infantino's lack of openness regarding plans to sell stakes in future World Cup profits to private equity funds. On the same day, Infantino's senior adviser, Carlos Cordeiro, also walked away after calling the $20 billion commercial subsidiary plan "a bad deal for football."
Infantino ultimately withdrew the proposal, officially known as the FIFA Forward Enterprise plan, following a fierce global backlash. European governing body UEFA had warned of a boycott of all FIFA games and events, while an open letter from the heads of three continental confederations—representing Europe, Asia, and North, Central America and the Caribbean—labeled the plan a "fundamental breach of trust" and "deception."
Despite the backlash and the withdrawal of support from several national federations, six Arab football federation heads recently expressed their full support and confidence in Infantino. Having served as FIFA president since 2016, Infantino is seeking reelection next year in Morocco, with FIFA establishing a November 18 deadline for potential challengers to step forward.
Reporting sourced from The Hindu Sport. Photo courtesy The Hindu Sport.