FIFA has sacked its chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, after he criticised president Gianni Infantino’s plan to sell off the World Cup. Lamour, a longtime colleague of Infantino at both FIFA and UEFA, said that staff had been ‘deceived’ by the plan which has now been scrapped following widespread backlash.
Sky News first reported Lamour’s departure. While FIFA chose not to comment on the nature of his exit, football’s world governing body did offer a statement.
“FIFA can confirm that the working relationship between FIFA and Kevin Lamour as FIFA’s Chief Operating Officer has ended on 17 August 2026,” the statement read. “FIFA thanks Kevin for his two years of service and wishes him the best of luck for the future.”
A letter sent by FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom has also surfaced. It informed FIFA staff about Lamour’s departure, with the Frenchman having been with the organisation since November 2024.
