FIFA has reportedly dismissed its Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour on 17 August 2026, days after he publicly criticised FIFA President Gianni Infantino's now-abandoned plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors. The departure was communicated to FIFA staff via an internal email from Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom, who described the exit as a mutual agreement to 'part ways'.

The Official Statement

A FIFA spokesperson confirmed the separation, stating: '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.' In his internal letter to staff, Grafstrom said the decision followed 'careful consideration' and was made 'with great respect for Kevin, both personally and professionally.'

What Lamour Said Before His Exit

Lamour had been unusually outspoken for a senior FIFA official. He had described Infantino's World Cup privatisation plan as 'the project of one person', and alleged that the FIFA administration had been 'deceived' about the proposal. In remarks that drew wide attention, Lamour said: '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 also acknowledged the personal cost of his candour: 'If that means I lose my job, then so be it. I will understand and respect that decision. At least I'll sleep well tonight.'

The Infantino Sell-Off Plan and Its Collapse

The World Cup stake sale — which would have brought private investment into the flagship tournament — was ultimately abandoned by Infantino, 56, after fierce pushback from three of football's most powerful regional bodies: UEFA, AFC, and CONCACAF. The three confederations jointly accused FIFA's leadership of a 'fundamental breach of trust' and 'deception' in the handling of the plan. Their joint statement warned: 'This is about something more fundamental: the integrity of the game, and the integrity of those elected to lead it.' The statement further asserted that football leadership 'is not a possession' and that 'when trust is broken through deception, when an individual places himself above the collective that entrusted him with authority, that duty has been abandoned.'

Wider Implications for FIFA Governance

Lamour's removal — coming so swiftly after his public dissent — is likely to intensify scrutiny of decision-making at the top of world football. This is not the first time Infantino's tenure has drawn internal and external criticism; his leadership style has periodically drawn concern from member associations and civil society groups alike. Notably, the fact that three major confederations felt compelled to issue a joint rebuke over a single policy proposal signals an unusually high level of institutional friction within FIFA. How the governing body manages its internal cohesion in the months ahead — with the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America already underway in its build-up — will be closely watched across the global football community.