FIFA COO Kevin Lamour Departs Amid Infantino Criticism

FIFA has announced the departure of Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour, effective August 17, 2026. This decision follows Lamour’s public criticism of FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s controversial proposal to sell a stake in the commercial rights of the World Cup and other tournaments. Lamour’s exit comes just weeks after he expressed concerns that FIFA staff had been “deceived” regarding the plan, which he described as “the project of one person.”

Lamour joined FIFA’s senior leadership in November 2024 and was part of the team that supported Infantino’s election as president in 2016. A FIFA spokesperson confirmed the end of Lamour’s working relationship, thanking him for his two years of service and wishing him well for the future. No further comments were provided on the matter.

Backlash Against Infantino’s Proposal

Lamour’s remarks were made shortly after Carlos Cordeiro, a senior adviser to Infantino, resigned in protest, labeling the proposal as “a bad deal for football.” Infantino subsequently withdrew the proposal to create a $20 billion subsidiary and sell up to a 20% stake to private equity investors, aimed at raising $4.2 billion. However, the backlash against the plan has continued, casting doubt on Infantino’s bid for reelection in March 2027, which was previously seen as a formality.

Opposition has emerged from powerful football confederations, including UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and CONCACAF, while Infantino still enjoys support from the African and South American confederations. Human rights organization FairSquare has also urged FIFA’s Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee (GACC) to rule Infantino ineligible for another presidential term, citing a potential breach of FIFA’s term limits.

Concerns Over Presidential Term Limits

FIFA presidents are limited to three terms, but Infantino has argued that his first term from 2016 to 2019 should not count towards this limit, as it completed an interrupted mandate. FairSquare’s director, Nicholas McGeehan, emphasized that this interpretation sets a dangerous precedent and undermines the principle of term limits established in FIFA’s 2016 reforms.

In light of these developments, several national associations, including the Scottish Football Association, have voiced their opposition to Infantino’s reelection. The situation remains fluid, with calls for an independent review of Infantino’s conduct gaining traction among various football stakeholders.

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