Full Breakdown
Kevin Lamour Leaves FIFA After Publicly Opposing Infantino’s Sell-Off Plan
8/18/2026, 1:44:08 AM
Kevin Lamour’s departure marks fallout over the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise
On 17 August 2026 FIFA confirmed that Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour’s employment ended, less than three weeks after he denounced President Gianni Infantino’s plan to create a $20 billion subsidiary and sell up to a 20 % stake in the organisation’s tournament business. The proposal, announced earlier in the year, faced widespread opposition from staff and national federations and was abandoned shortly after Lamour’s criticism.
Background: Infantino’s attempted sell-off of World Cup assets
Infantino’s “FIFA Forward Enterprise” scheme aimed to commercialise the World Cup and other competitions by selling a minority share to private investors. Critics argued the move threatened the sport’s governance model and could enrich the president personally. After internal dissent and external pressure, FIFA dropped the plan, citing the “backlash” from its own employees and member associations.
Official statements from FIFA
- “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.” — Fifa spokesperson
- “I would like to provide you with an important update regarding a change within the Fifa Administration.” — General Mattias Grafstrom, FIFA secretary
The FIFA spokesperson reiterated that the organisation thanked Lamour for “two years of service” and would not comment further. Secretary General Mattias Grafström informed staff and Council members that the two sides had “agreed to part ways.”
Lamour’s criticism and internal dissent
Lamour, who joined FIFA in November 2024 after a long tenure at UEFA, described the sell-off as “the project of one person” and said FIFA staff had been “deceived” about the plan. He warned that the organisation’s mission was to serve football, not the personal interests of a single individual. Hours after Lamour’s remarks, senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned, calling the proposal “a bad deal for football.”
Verbatim quotes
- “Our mission ... is to serve football. Not to serve the personal interests of a person who, unfortunately, believes he embodies FIFA when he is supposed to be at its service,” — Operating Officer Kevin Lamour
- “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.” — Fifa spokesperson
- “I would like to provide you with an important update regarding a change within the Fifa Administration.” — General Mattias Grafstrom, FIFA secretary
