At every France match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, one seat in the press box is deliberately left vacant — a silent tribute to Christophe Gleizes, a French sports journalist currently imprisoned in Algeria.

Gleizes, who covers African football for the Paris-based magazine So Foot, was sentenced in 2025 to seven years in prison on charges of supporting terrorism. French journalists' unions have called for his immediate release.

A family's fight for freedom

Gleizes' mother, Sylvie, has travelled to the World Cup in the United States to personally draw attention to her son's case. She told BBC Sport on Monday that Gleizes had received accreditation for the tournament, approved directly by FIFA president Gianni Infantino — yet he remains behind bars.

Sylvie said her son feels "cut off" from the world, a phrase that speaks to the isolation of his situation as the sport he loves plays out without him.

Journalists show solidarity

Ahead of France manager Didier Deschamps' pre-match press conference at the New Jersey New York Stadium on Monday — previewing Tuesday's group-stage clash with Senegal (20:00 BST) — journalists gathered and raised scarves bearing the message "Free Gleizes."

Inside the press conference, a chair was also left empty in his honour. Journalist Vincent Duluc of the French daily L'Equipe posed a question to Deschamps on Gleizes' behalf, asking about hydration breaks.

Deschamps responded with warmth:

"I hope for his sake and his family's that he can be here as soon as possible and ask his questions himself."

The gesture of the empty seat and chair has become a powerful symbol of press freedom at this World Cup, with the football community making clear it has not forgotten one of its own.