FIFA chief operating officer Kevin Lamour stated that staff were deceived by president Gianni Infantino over a controversial $20 billion commercial sell-off plan. The announcement arrived as senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned in protest, calling the proposal to sell stakes in future World Cup profits a bad deal for football.
Staff Deception and the Call to Halt the Subsidiary Plan
Zurich-based executive Kevin Lamour criticized the lack of openness surrounding Gianni Infantino’s controversial proposal to restructure soccer’s governing body. Infantino has proposed spinning off FIFA’s commercial businesses—including men’s and women’s World Cups and Club World Cups—into a new $20 billion commercial subsidiary where private investors would own a 20% stake. According to FIFA, the anchor investor behind this initiative is Joshua Kushner, a New York investment fund creator and the younger brother of Jared Kushner.
Lamour stated that his colleagues were deceived by the president’s handling of the sale over recent months. In his statement to the press, the French official argued that staff members deserve better than intimidation and contempt.
Carlos Cordeiro Resigns Over Private Equity Proposal
Hours prior to Lamour’s remarks, Carlos Cordeiro stepped down from his role as a senior adviser to Infantino. The former U.S. Soccer Federation president and Goldman Sachs banker, who previously represented FIFA on the White House Task Force for the World Cup, revealed he was excluded from discussions regarding the Kushner-backed investment plan.
Cordeiro made his opposition clear, asserting that selling a permanent stake in the sport’s most valuable asset makes little financial sense given FIFA’s existing fiscal strength. The organization reported revenue of $15 billion over the preceding four-year cycle tied to the recently concluded men’s World Cup, sitting on billions in reserves with zero debt.
Wider Regional Resistance and Political Fallout
European nations have agreed to boycott the World Cup and all other FIFA competitions in direct protest of the private equity plan. Meanwhile, North America’s soccer body has also rejected the proposal.
In regions such as Africa and Asia, member federations face their own decisions regarding financial incentives offered by the current administration. Lamour has historically maintained a diplomatic role liaising with these federations as they weigh offers of $20 million each tied to upcoming deadlines.
The Leadership Standpoint Ahead of March
Infantino has served as FIFA president for more than 10 years and had previously appeared positioned to secure re-election unopposed.
Lamour did not resign from the position he has held since 2024, but explicitly acknowledged the professional risk of his public dissent.
FIFA has set a Nov. 18 deadline for potential challengers to step forward ahead of the presidential election scheduled for next March.
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