Senior FIFA official exits after Infantino criticism

FIFA announced on Monday that Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour had resigned from the organization, following his recent criticism of Gianni Infantino's plan to sell a stake in World Cup and tournament commercial rights. Lamour joined FIFA's senior leadership in November 2024, having previously supported Infantino's election as president in 2016.

A FIFA spokesperson confirmed on Monday that Lamour's working relationship with the organization had ended on August 17, 2026. FIFA expressed gratitude for Lamour's two years of service and wished him well for the future, with no further comment to be made. Lamour had previously stated that FIFA staff were deceived about the plan and characterized it as "the project of one person."

His comments followed the resignation of senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro, who called the proposal "a bad deal for football." Infantino withdrew the proposal shortly after, but the backlash against the plan to create a $20 billion subsidiary and sell up to a 20% stake to private equity investors remains strong. Infantino's re-election bid for a fourth term as president in March 2027 is now uncertain, with influential European confederation UEFA, Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and CONCACAF opposing him, while he retains support from African and South American confederations.

Human rights in sport organization FairSquare has urged FIFA's Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee (GACC) to rule Infantino ineligible for another term, as presidents are limited to three terms.