As the World Cup kicks off on June 11, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) announces that Christophe Gleizes, imprisoned in Algeria, has now been granted accreditation by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) to cover the tournament. This accreditation was granted in support of the French sports journalist, a contributor to the magazines So Foot and Society, and to reiterate the call for his immediate release.
“Christophe Gleizes’ accreditation to cover the World Cup demonstrates strong support from FIFA. It underscores that this sports journalist and soccer specialist belongs in the stadiums and at the media box of this major global competition, and not in prison. We thank FIFA for this gesture and everyone who made it happen. We call on all journalists covering this competition to relay our appeal for Christophe’s release at every match, every day until the very end.
“As the world’s largest international soccer competition is about to begin, our son Christophe remains imprisoned. As a reminder, he is a soccer journalist and nothing but a soccer journalist. This never-ending situation is devastating for us. We are very grateful to FIFA for its gesture, but above all, we once again appeal to President Tebboune to grant clemency so that Christophe may regain his freedom, his family, and his job as a sports journalist, as soon as possible. We are convinced: his release is in everyone’s interest.
The accreditation issued by FIFA in the name of Christophe Gleizes, bearing the number 00980549, authorises him to cover the entire FIFA World Cup tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico between 11 June and 19 July for the magazine So Foot.
Arrested on 28 May 2024, Christophe Gleizes was sentenced in June 2025 to seven years in prison for “glorifying terrorism” and “possessing publications for propaganda purposes harmful to national interests” — charges that are entirely unfounded. The Tizi Ouzou court upheld the sentence on appeal in December 2025.
Timeline of Christophe Gleizes’ case and the campaign for his release
28 May 2024: Christophe Gleizes is arrested in Tizi Ouzou (Algeria) while covering a story on the JS Kabylie (JSK) football club. He is placed under a judicial control order.
29 June 2025: Christophe Gleizes is sentenced to seven years in prison for “glorifying terrorism” and “possessing publications for propaganda purposes harmful to national interests”.
30 June 2025: RSF launches a petition calling for Christophe Gleizes' release. To date, it has gathered more than 20,000 signatures.
16 July 2025: Around 100 public figures announce their support for the call for Christophe Gleizes’ release.
24 July 2025: During the Tour de France cycling competition, a giant banner calling for Christophe Gleizes' release is unfurled -– an action coordinated by RSF. The aim is to turn one of the most high-profile sporting events of the year into a platform for press freedom.
August 2025: A giant banner in support of journalist Christophe Gleizes is unfurled on the front of the town hall in Agen, the town where he was born. The call for Christophe's release was also shared at the Avignon, Rock en Seine, and Couthures-sur-Garonne festivals, which included speeches by members of his support committee and RSF.
29 September 2025: To mark three months of the journalists' detention in Algeria, sixteen French journalism schools join forces to call for his release. RSF welcomed this initiative and renewed its call for his freedom.
20 November 2025: Nine Ligue 1 football clubs mobilise for the release of Christophe Gleizes, who is being held in Algeria.
29 November 2025: Nearly 30 prominent figures join forces to call for his release.
3 December 2025: Christophe Gleizes' appeal trial takes place at the Tizi Ouzou Court of Appeal, which upholds his seven-year prison sentence. RSF demands his release.
18 December 2025: A giant picture of Christophe on the facade of the FFF headquarters in Paris is revealed. On 19, 20 and 21 December, messages of support were broadcast during the round of 32 of the French Cup. These include a video message from Christophe Gleizes' mother, Sylvie Godard, addressed to her son, which is shown in the 7th minute of the Paris Saint-Germain – Fontenay-le-Comte match. This is a symbolic moment, as the number seven refers to the seven-year prison sentence inflicted on the journalist.
29 January 2026: An exceptional evening of support was organised at the Bataclan to mark Christophe Gleizes' seven months of detention. Bringing together more than 1,000 spectators and hosted by journalist Ambre Godillon, the event featured socially conscious artists who chose to perform free of charge: Alex Beaupain, Malik Djoudi, Jeanne Cherhal, Mathilda, Yuksek, and the group Elephanz.
February 27, 2026: French local authorities commit to the release of Christophe Gleizes. Several municipalities, departments, and regions join the mobilisation, displaying banners, posters, and organising public statements to emphasise the importance of press freedom and that Christophe Gleizes’s detention is a serious violation of the fundamental right to inform.
April 11, 2026: Special friendly match held in Christophe’s honour as part of the game between the French clubs RC Lens and FC Rouen.
May 3, 2026: On World Press Freedom Day, Christophe Gleizes’s family kicks off the match between the French clubs Paris FC and Stade Brestois during the 32nd matchday of the French Ligue 1 championship.
22 May 2026: During the French Football Cup, Christophe Gleizes’ family kicked off the match between RC Lens and OGC Nice.
10 June 2026: Announcement that FIFA issued accreditation to Christophe Gleizes to cover the 2026 World Cup. With the support of the Sports & Rights Alliance (SRA) – a global coalition fighting corruption in sport – and the International Sports Press Association (AIPS).
As the World Cup approaches, RSF is urging media professionals to prepare for a more challenging reporting environment marked by increased surveillance and other threats to press freedom — particularly in Mexico and the United States. Visit the RSF Resources for Journalists website for tips and information on how to stay safe. Reporters seeking to report a press freedom violation or in need of assistance during the tournament can contact RSF at [email protected].
