FIFA CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER LAMOUR LEAVES AFTER INFANTINO CRITICISM

Kevin Lamour has left his position as chief operating officer at Fifa, the global governing body confirmed on 17 August 2026. Lamour had publicly criticised Fifa president Gianni Infantino and the proposed Fifa Forward Enterprise plan in a statement issued on 31 July. He told Associated Press that Fifa staff had been "deceived" by Infantino regarding the scheme. Fifa issued a brief statement thanking Lamour for two years of service and declining to comment further on his departure.

Lamour's statement on 31 July characterised the FFE proposal as "the project of one person" and called for football's political leaders to reconsider their positions. He acknowledged the possibility of losing his job, stating: "If that means I lose my job, then so be it. I will understand and respect that decision." According to one report, Lamour voted against the FFE plan in a meeting held on 18 July, the day before the World Cup final. Fifa's secretary general Mattias Grafstrom informed staff of Lamour's departure via email.

Sources indicated that Grafstrom, rather than Infantino, conducted the final discussion with Lamour regarding his exit. Senior figures in football noted this detail given that Lamour's public statement had focused on Infantino's leadership. The FFE proposal has since been abandoned.