Fifa has dismissed its chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, after he publicly opposed a plan by president Gianni Infantino to sell part of the World Cup to private investors. Lamour had refused to approve the deal, saying Fifa's administration had been "deceived" and warning that speaking out might cost him his job. The sacking has drawn criticism from football figures who see it as retaliatory and indicative of a wider culture of fear within Fifa's leadership.

Lamour's departure was confirmed by Fifa on 17 August 2026, ending a two-year tenure, with the organisation declining to comment further. Lise Klaveness, head of the Norwegian Football Association, condemned the move as "management by fear" and praised Lamour as the best football administrator she had encountered, while suggesting Swedish Fifa official Mattias Grafström had carried out the sacking at Infantino's behest. Grafström defended the decision in a staff email, stating that "individuals, unstable moments and unfortunate episodes come and go" while the institution's mission continues.