2026 FIFA World Cup: RSF mobilises international support for Christophe Gleizes at France team press conference in the US

Thanks to an initiative led by RSF and supported by the French Sports Journalists' Union (UJSF), Christophe Gleizes was able to make his voice heard during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

A question written by Gleizes from his prison cell in Algeria and passed to his family during a visit in early June was posed to France head coach Didier Deschamps on June 15 by UJSF President Vincent Duluc. In his question, Gleizes asked Deschamps about the structure of each half in light of the tournament's new hydration breaks. In response, Deschamps expressed his support: "I had the opportunity to meet his parents at the Coupe de France final. I hope that he, and his family, will soon be able to see him here, asking his own questions in person."

Many of the sports journalists attending the press conference then showed their support by holding up "FREE GLEIZES" scarves before and after the event. The press conference was held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where France will face Senegal on Tuesday, June 16.

Outside the stadium, Sylvie and Francis Godard, Christophe Gleizes' mother and stepfather, addressed journalists from around the world, reminding them that: "Christophe should be here instead of us. We are here because our son cannot be, and because it is now our responsibility to carry his voice." At the heart of an event bringing together the leading figures of international football, they renewed their appeal for clemency from Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who is now the only person with the authority to secure the journalist's release.

An Accreditation and a Reserved Seat for Christophe Gleizes

The June 15 mobilization is part of a broader international campaign led by RSF to secure Christophe Gleizes' release. Just days before the tournament began, FIFA granted Gleizes official accreditation to cover the entire 2026 FIFA World Cup. The decision, secured through the efforts of RSF and its supporters, is a powerful reminder that Christophe Gleizes should be working as a sports journalist in the tournament's press tribunes alongside his colleagues. To make his absence visible, a seat bearing his name was placed in the press box.

The campaign gained further momentum when FIFA President Gianni Infantino publicly called for Gleizes' release and noted that he is currently the only journalist imprisoned anywhere in the world for his work as a sports reporter.

Invited by FIFA, Sylvie and Francis Godard will attend France's opening World Cup match against Senegal on June 16.

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 journalist's 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).