FIFA removes operations director who criticized Infantino's World Cup rights proposal

FIFA has removed Operations Director Kevin Lamour, who publicly opposed President Gianni Infantino's plan to sell part of the World Cup's commercial rights to outside investors. In a statement to Sky News, FIFA said its working relationship with Lamour will end on August 17, 2026. Lamour had criticized Infantino's proposal to sell 20 percent of the World Cup's commercial rights to private investors in a deal expected to raise about $4.2 billion. Infantino later distanced himself from the proposal after it drew criticism. Separately, the human rights organization Fair Square is pursuing a second attempt to block Infantino from standing again for the FIFA presidency in elections scheduled for March 2027. The group's earlier application was unsuccessful.