FIFA parts ways with COO after criticism of Infantino's World Cup plan

FIFA announced on Monday that chief operating officer Kevin Lamour was dismissed with immediate effect, a move linked to his recent public criticism of FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s aborted plan to open World Cup commercial rights to private investors earlier this year.

Lamour’s criticism of the Forward Enterprise

According to English media, Lamour voiced strong opposition to the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) in late July during an interview with the Associated Press, saying staff had been misled about the proposal. He described the initiative as “the project of one person” and urged football administrators to ask the right questions and make the right decisions.

Lamour, who had served as FIFA’s operational director since November 2024, acknowledged that his remarks might cost him his job, stating, “If that means I lose my job, then so be it. I will understand and respect that decision. I will sleep well tonight anyway.”

FIFA confirmed on Monday that the cooperation with Lamour ended on 17 August 2026, thanking him for two years of service and wishing him the best for the future.

Both The Times and reported that Lamour is indeed dismissed, although FIFA has not officially confirmed the termination. added that FIFA employees were informed of the departure on Monday evening.

Lamour is the second senior official to leave over the dispute. Top adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned in July after opposing the same commercial plan.