FIFA's chief operating officer Kevin Lamour departs weeks after accusing leadership of deception over $4.2bn World Cup rights plan

FIFA confirmed Kevin Lamour's departure on 17 August 2026, three weeks after he told the Associated Press the organisation was "deceived" about a shelved plan to sell a $4.2bn stake in World Cup commercial rights to private investors. He called it "the project of one person." FIFA declined to comment on reports he was dismissed. Secretary general Mattias Grafstrom told staff the two sides had "agreed to part ways."