FIFA Sacks Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour After Public Criticism of Infantino

The decision, initially reported by Sky News, was confirmed by FIFA on Monday, August 17, 2026. It brings Lamour’s two-year tenure at world football’s governing body to an abrupt end.

FIFA did not publicly describe the departure as a dismissal or disclose the circumstances that led to the decision. However, the announcement followed a serious breakdown in Lamour’s relationship with Infantino over the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise project.

The initiative would reportedly have created a subsidiary valued at approximately $20 billion to manage the commercial operations of FIFA’s leading competitions, including the World Cup.

Under the plan, FIFA could have sold a stake of up to 20% in the tournament business to private investors. Supporters believed the arrangement could attract substantial capital and increase the commercial value of FIFA’s competitions.

Opponents, however, raised concerns about allowing private investors to gain an interest in the organization’s most valuable football assets.

Lamour emerged as one of the project’s most outspoken internal critics. Speaking publicly in late July, he accused FIFA’s leadership of misleading employees about the scope and potential consequences of the proposal.

He claimed that staff members had been “deceived” and described FIFA Forward Enterprise as “the project of one person.”

Lamour also argued that FIFA existed to serve football rather than the interests of an individual who believed he embodied the institution.

His comments represented a rare public challenge to Infantino from a senior member of FIFA’s executive leadership. The criticism exposed deep internal divisions over how the organization’s competitions and commercial assets should be managed.

Following the collapse of their working relationship, FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström reportedly informed employees that Lamour was leaving the organization.

“FIFA can confirm that the working relationship between FIFA and Kevin Lamour as FIFA’s Chief Operating Officer has ended on 17 August 2026,” a spokesperson said.

“FIFA thanks Kevin for his two years of service and wishes him the best of luck for the future.”

The governing body declined to comment further on the reasons for his departure or whether it was directly connected to his criticism of Infantino and the proposed investment structure.

Lamour was not the only senior figure to oppose the initiative. Carlos Cordeiro, a former president of the United States Soccer Federation who had been serving as a senior adviser to Infantino, resigned amid the controversy.

Cordeiro described the proposal as “a bad deal for football,” adding to the pressure on FIFA’s leadership to reconsider the arrangement.

The combined criticism from prominent officials intensified concerns about governance, transparency and the influence private investors could gain over the World Cup and other major competitions.

FIFA subsequently abandoned the FIFA Forward Enterprise project following the internal resistance and wider backlash.

The proposal’s collapse raised questions about how it progressed to an advanced stage and whether staff members and other football stakeholders were given enough information or influence during its development.

Lamour’s departure is expected to fuel further scrutiny of FIFA’s leadership culture and its tolerance of internal dissent. Critics may view the timing as evidence that senior officials risk losing their positions when they publicly challenge Infantino.

FIFA, however, has not stated that Lamour’s comments played a role in ending his employment.

The dispute also highlights the growing tension between FIFA’s traditional role as football’s global regulator and its ambitions to expand the commercial value of its competitions.

The World Cup remains the organization’s most valuable asset and its principal source of revenue. Any proposal to bring private investors into a business managing the tournament would therefore carry significant financial and governance implications.

While the investment project has been abandoned, the controversy surrounding it continues to affect FIFA. Lamour’s exit leaves the organization searching for new operational leadership while facing questions about the handling of one of its most contentious commercial proposals in recent years.