Lamour’s Departure Follows Public Opposition to World Cup Rights Proposal
FIFA Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour has left the organisation weeks after publicly criticising President Gianni Infantino’s proposal to sell a stake in the commercial rights of the World Cup and other tournaments.
FIFA confirmed that Lamour’s working relationship with the governing body ended on August 17, 2026, but gave no reason for his departure. Lamour joined FIFA’s senior leadership in November 2024 after previously supporting Infantino’s successful presidential campaign in 2016.
Lamour criticised the proposed commercial deal last month, saying FIFA staff had been “deceived” and describing the initiative as “the project of one person.” He argued that FIFA’s role was to serve football rather than the personal interests of its president.
Infantino Faces Growing Opposition Ahead of 2027 Re-election Bid
Lamour’s departure comes amid mounting opposition to Infantino’s plans and his bid for a fourth term as FIFA president in March 2027. Infantino withdrew the proposed creation of a $20 billion subsidiary and the sale of up to a 20% stake to private equity investors after facing internal resistance.
The proposal had been intended to raise about $4.2 billion. Senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned in protest, calling the proposed transaction “a bad deal for football.”
Infantino’s potential fourth-term bid is also facing resistance from several powerful football confederations. UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF have called for an independent review of his conduct, while the African and South American confederations continue to support him.
Human rights organisation FairSquare has separately asked FIFA’s Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee to rule Infantino ineligible for another term, arguing that FIFA’s three-term presidential limit should apply to his tenure beginning in 2016.
Infantino has maintained that his initial 2016-2019 tenure should not count because it completed an interrupted mandate. He was subsequently re-elected unopposed in 2019 and 2023.
The Scottish Football Association has also said it will not support Infantino’s re-election. The developments have intensified scrutiny of FIFA’s leadership ahead of next year’s presidential election.