FIFA executive Kevin Lamour sacked over World Cup sell-off criticism
Consensus Summary
FIFA’s chief operating officer Kevin Lamour was dismissed on 17 August 2026 after publicly opposing president Gianni Infantino’s controversial plan to sell up to a 20 per cent stake in the World Cup to external investors. Lamour, who had served for two years, called the proposal a 'bad deal for football' and accused FIFA staff of being 'deceived.' His resignation followed that of Infantino’s senior adviser, Carlos Cordeiro, who quit in protest on 31 July. The Guardian notes Lamour joined FIFA shortly after leaving UEFA, where he had worked since 2007, while ABC highlights the financial scale of the abandoned plan—a $US20 billion subsidiary—though both agree the scheme was shelved amid internal dissent.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Kevin Lamour was sacked as FIFA chief operating officer on 17 August 2026
- Lamour had two years of service at FIFA before his departure
- Lamour publicly criticised FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s plan to sell up to a 20 per cent stake in the World Cup to external investors
- Carlos Cordeiro, a senior adviser to Infantino, resigned in protest on 31 July
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Lamour joined FIFA less than two years after leaving a previous role at UEFA
- Lamour first joined UEFA in 2007
- Lamour stated he would accept losing his job if opposing the plan
- Lamour described Infantino as believing he 'embodies FIFA' when he is 'supposed to be at its service'
- FIFA’s plan involved creating a $US20 billion subsidiary to run tournaments, including the World Cup
- The proposal was abandoned following backlash
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- The Guardian states Lamour joined FIFA 'less than two years after joining' from UEFA, while ABC does not specify his prior role duration
Source Articles
Fifa chief sacked after criticism of Infantino’s World Cup sell-off plan
Kevin Lamour said Fifa administration was ‘deceived’ Chief operating officer knew he could lose his job The Fifa chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, has been sacked after openly criticising Gianni Infantino’s ill-fated plan to sell parts of the World Cup to private investors. In a significant development at the pinnacle of world football’s deeply troubled governing body, Lamour has departed less than two years after joining from a previous role at Uefa. He had come out strongly against Infant
FIFA executive who criticised Infantino's World Cup sale plan departs
FIFA's chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, leaves soccer's governing body, weeks after publicly criticising president Gianni Infantino.
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