Christophe Gleizes symbolically accredited to cover 2026 World Cup while jailed in Algeria | OneFootball

Christophe Gleizes, a French journalist jailed in Algeria, has received accreditation to cover the 2026 World Cup.

In a statement on Wednesday, Reporters Without Borders said Gleizes has been granted accreditation for the 11 June to 19 July tournament, authorising him to cover the entire competition for So Foot, adding that a football specialist belongs in the stadiums and behind the scenes of a major global event, not in prison.

He was arrested on 28 May 2024 in Tizi Ouzou while reporting on JS Kabylie.

Initially placed under judicial control, he was sentenced on 29 June 2025 to seven years in prison with immediate committal for praising terrorism and for possessing publications intended as propaganda harmful to the national interest.

The Tizi Ouzou appeals court upheld that conviction on 3 December 2025.

His family are seeking a presidential pardon from Abdelmadjid Tebboune, having applied in December 2025 and again in February, with no reply so far.

Source: L'Équipe