FIFA COO alleges staff misled over Infantino's World Cup sell‑off plan

Senior FIFA executive Kevin Lamour told reporters on Tuesday that staff members were misled about President Gianni Infantino’s plan to “sell off” certain World Cup assets, describing the information provided to employees as incomplete and deceptive. Lamour, who oversees the organization’s commercial operations, said the strategy—intended to generate additional revenue by transferring ownership of ancillary rights such as hospitality packages and regional marketing licenses—was presented to staff as a routine restructuring, while the true scope and financial impact were concealed.

Lamour’s remarks come amid growing scrutiny of FIFA’s financial governance and follow internal inquiries that have uncovered discrepancies in the rollout of the sell‑off initiative. He indicated that the lack of transparency has eroded trust among senior managers and could prompt further internal audits. FIFA has not yet issued an official response, but sources close to the federation suggest that the board will convene an emergency meeting to review the allegations and assess potential corrective actions. The episode adds to mounting pressure on Infantino’s administration to demonstrate clearer oversight of the organization’s commercial activities.