FIFA COO Kevin Lamour Quits After Clash Over Infantino’s $20bn Plan

FIFA chief operating officer Kevin Lamour has left his position weeks after publicly challenging a controversial commercial proposal backed by the organisation’s president, Gianni Infantino.

Lamour had emerged as one of the most prominent internal critics of plans to establish a new commercial entity housing some of FIFA’s most valuable assets, including rights connected to the World Cup and other major competitions.

The proposed venture was valued by FIFA at around $20 billion, with plans to potentially sell up to a 20 per cent stake to private equity investors and raise an estimated $4.2 billion.

Lamour publicly opposed the proposal last month, accusing FIFA employees of being “deceived” and arguing that the organisation should serve football rather than the interests of any individual.

His departure was confirmed by FIFA on Monday, although the governing body stopped short of saying that he had been dismissed.

“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 FIFA spokesperson said.

The organisation did not provide a reason for Lamour’s departure and said it would make no further comment.

Lamour had been part of FIFA’s senior management since November 2024, but his relationship with Infantino dates back further. He was involved in the campaign that helped the Swiss-Italian secure the FIFA presidency in 2016.

Another senior FIFA figure, Carlos Cordeiro, also opposed the commercial proposal and subsequently resigned as an adviser to Infantino, describing the initiative as “a bad deal for football”.

Infantino later withdrew the proposal following mounting opposition.

Lamour’s exit comes against the backdrop of growing scrutiny of FIFA’s commercial and governance plans.