Empty seat at France World Cup matches highlights jailed football journalist Christophe Gleizes

An empty seat will be left in the press box and media conference room at every France match during the 2026 FIFA World Cup to draw attention to the imprisonment of French football journalist Christophe Gleizes in Algeria.

Gleizes, who covers African football for Paris-based magazine So Foot, was sentenced in 2025 to seven years in prison after being convicted on charges of supporting terrorism.

French journalists' unions have continued to campaign for his release, arguing that he should be freed.

Ahead of France's Group I opener against Senegal, journalists attending Didier Deschamps' pre-match press conference held up scarves bearing the message "Free Gleizes" in a show of solidarity.

A chair displaying Gleizes' official World Cup accreditation was also left empty throughout the media session, symbolising the journalist's absence from the tournament.

His mother, Sylvie Gleizes, travelled to the United States to continue campaigning for his release and revealed that FIFA president Gianni Infantino had personally approved her son's accreditation for the World Cup.

She told BBC Sport that her son feels "cut off" from the outside world while serving his sentence.

During Monday's press conference, veteran French journalist Vincent Duluc asked Deschamps a question on Gleizes' behalf concerning hydration breaks at the tournament.

The France coach responded with a message of support.

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

The gesture by French journalists has brought renewed international attention to Gleizes' case during football's biggest tournament, with campaigners hoping the visibility of the World Cup will increase pressure for his release.