FIFA World Cup in the United States: FIFA issues press accreditation to sports journalist Christophe Gleizes, detained in Algeria
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.
— Thibaut Bruttin, Executive Director of RSF
“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.
— Sylvie and Francis Godard, Parents of Christophe Gleizes
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.
