FIFA has announced the departure of its Chief Operating Officer, Kevin Lamour, following his public criticism of President Gianni Infantino's controversial plan regarding the management of World Cup operations. Lamour's exit comes less than three weeks after he voiced his concerns about the now-abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal.

Lamour's Critique of Infantino's Proposal

Lamour, who joined FIFA in November 2024 after a tenure as UEFA’s deputy general secretary, expressed strong disapproval of the FFE initiative, labeling it as “the project of one person.” He stated that FIFA's administration had been “deceived” regarding the proposal. In his remarks, he emphasized the importance of unity and inspiration in leadership, stating, “A president must bring people together, unite them, and inspire them. Today, we are experiencing the opposite.” Lamour also indicated that he felt a duty to uphold certain values and support his colleagues, even at the risk of his own position, saying, “If that means I lose my job, then so be it.”

Controversy Surrounding FIFA Forward Enterprise

The FFE plan aimed to establish a commercial subsidiary to oversee the operational aspects of FIFA competitions, including the World Cup. FIFA intended to maintain control while offering up to a 20% stake in this new entity to private investors, potentially generating up to $4.2 billion. However, the proposal faced significant backlash from various football confederations, including UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation. UEFA members even threatened to boycott FIFA competitions if the plan proceeded, while the European Football Clubs group warned against participating in future Club World Cup editions unless the proposal was retracted.

Lamour's departure, effective August 17, 2026, was confirmed by FIFA, which thanked him for his two years of service but did not elaborate on the circumstances surrounding his exit. His resignation follows the earlier departure of Carlos Cordeiro, a senior adviser to Infantino, who also resigned in protest against the FFE proposal. The unfolding events highlight the growing pressure on Infantino as he navigates the complexities of FIFA's governance and the reactions of its stakeholders.