- US forces completed their withdrawal from Iraq on September 30, 2026.
Ronaldo benched in Norway match
Cristiano Ronaldo remained on the bench for the entire 2-1 victory over Norway on September 27, 2026, despite being available.

































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Cristiano Ronaldo remained on the bench for the entire 2-1 victory over Norway on September 27, 2026, despite being available.
Jorge Jesus held a press conference on September 30, 2026, where he denied any conflict with Ronaldo and announced Gonçalo Ramos would start against Denmark.
I decided to leave the national team training camp after the coach's press conference and a conversation with the federation president.
I will tell the Portuguese people the truth about the reasons for my departure at the appropriate time.
There is no conflict or incident between me and Cristiano Ronaldo; I only managed his playing time for physical reasons.
I told Cristiano he would not play in the matches against Norway and Denmark, and he agreed to that plan.
I am unhappy because I was left on the bench for the entire match against Norway despite being available.
Cristiano Ronaldo left the Portugal national team training camp on September 30, 2026, after a conversation with federation president Pedro Proença.
The Portuguese Football Federation issued a statement confirming Cristiano Ronaldo's departure from the training camp and saying preparations would continue as planned.
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01 General knowledge
Morocco is a constitutional monarchy in which the king holds most political power, including the authority to appoint the head of government from the party that wins the most seats in parliamentary elections. This system has shaped the country's politics for decades, with the monarchy acting as a stabilizing force above the fray of party competition. The Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), founded in 2008 as a counterweight to the Islamist movement, has grown into a major political force. Its rise reflects a broader struggle between secular, pro-monarchy parties and Islamist groups like the Justice and Development Party (PJD), which led the previous government.
Women have gradually gained more political visibility in Morocco, but the highest executive office had remained out of reach until now. The appointment of Fatima Zahra El Mansouri as prime minister follows a global trend of women breaking into top leadership roles, though it remains rare in the Arab world. In 2021, Tunisia's Najla Bouden became the first woman to lead a government in the region, setting a precedent that Morocco now follows. This historic step is part of a longer arc of women's participation in Moroccan politics, from local governance to ministerial positions.
02 The subject
Fatima Zahra El Mansouri is a 50-year-old lawyer and politician who has served as the first female mayor of Marrakesh since 2009 and later as a minister in the previous coalition government. She studied law at Mohammed V University in Rabat and continued her education in France and the US, specializing in business and corporate law. Her political career has been marked by her membership in the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), which has been under collective leadership since February 2024. El Mansouri has rejected the label of an 'iron woman,' stating in 2021, 'I am neither a woman of steel nor iron... I am a free activist.'
03 Explained
In Morocco's political system, the king appoints the prime minister from the party that wins the most seats in the House of Representatives, the lower house of parliament. This means that the leader of the largest party does not automatically become head of government; the monarch has the final say. The prime minister must then form a coalition government if their party does not hold an absolute majority, which requires 198 of the 395 seats. This process often involves lengthy negotiations and compromises among parties with different ideologies and interests.
The system is designed to keep the monarchy as the ultimate arbiter of power, with the prime minister responsible for day-to-day governance but the king retaining authority over key areas like security and foreign policy. This constitutional arrangement has been in place since the 2011 reforms, which were introduced in response to the Arab Spring protests. The king's role in appointing the prime minister is a crucial mechanism that shapes the country's political landscape, as seen in the current situation where PAM's victory did not automatically guarantee its leader the premiership.
04 Previous developments
In the parliamentary elections held in September 2026, the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) won the most seats, securing 97 out of 395 in the House of Representatives. The election saw a low voter turnout of only 38%, the lowest since 2007, reflecting widespread discontent among young Moroccans over socioeconomic issues. The National Rally of Independents (RNI), part of the outgoing coalition, came in second with 66 seats, while the Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD) rebounded to 54 seats, up from 13 in 2021.
Following the election, PAM, which had been under collective leadership since February 2024, had to choose between two potential candidates for prime minister: Fouzi Lekjaa, the country's football chief and a senior PAM politician, and Fatima Zahra El Mansouri, the mayor of Marrakesh. The king ultimately chose El Mansouri, making her the first female prime minister in Morocco's history. Her appointment came after a victory press conference where she was asked about potential accommodations for her participation in religious ceremonies attended by the king, but she did not directly answer, instead praising the king as 'the biggest advocate for women' in the country.
05 The environment
Morocco's new government takes office amid significant social unrest, particularly among young people who have expressed frustration over high unemployment and demands for better public services. This discontent has led to protests and a surge in migration attempts to Spain's Ceuta, highlighting the urgency of their situation. Many young Moroccans feel that political parties are unresponsive and disconnected from their realities, yet some still see value in voting, hoping it can influence critical issues like minimum wage and public sector hiring.
The political landscape is also shaped by Morocco's preparations to co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal, which will require substantial investments in infrastructure, transport, and tourism. The new government will be tasked with addressing pressing issues such as job creation, inflation, and the cost of living, especially as the country aims to boost its international profile. Additionally, Morocco has recently deepened its diplomatic ties with Israel, agreeing to open embassies, and has expressed strong solidarity with Saudi Arabia against Houthi attacks, reflecting its active role in regional geopolitics.
06 Why this happened
El Mansouri's appointment can be attributed to several factors, including her party's victory in the elections and the king's constitutional role in selecting the prime minister. Her experience as the first female mayor of Marrakesh and as a minister in the previous government made her a credible candidate. Additionally, her selection over Fouzi Lekjaa, who had joined PAM in August 2026, may reflect a desire to avoid concentrating power in a figure already prominent in football and government, especially with the 2030 World Cup preparations underway.
The king's decision to appoint a woman as prime minister also aligns with his public image as a supporter of women's rights, as he has been described as 'the biggest advocate for women' in the country. However, El Mansouri has rarely spoken publicly on women's rights issues, such as polygamy and inheritance equality, which remain debated in Morocco. Her appointment may be seen as a symbolic step forward, but the king retains ultimate authority, and the new government will need to navigate a complex coalition landscape.
07 Facts and events
El Mansouri's appointment makes her only the second woman to lead a government in the Arab world, following Tunisia's Najla Bouden. However, her party won only 97 of 395 seats, so she will need to form a coalition to govern, which could be complicated by PAM's fallout with the National Rally of Independents (RNI), which led the outgoing government. The Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD) has already said it will stay in opposition, rejecting a partnership with PAM.
The new government will face high expectations, as PAM has pledged ambitious economic goals, including an average annual growth of 5% and the creation of at least 1 million jobs over the next five years. These promises come at a time when the country is preparing to co-host the 2030 World Cup, which could provide economic opportunities but also requires significant investment. The low voter turnout in the elections suggests that many Moroccans, especially the youth, remain skeptical about the political system's ability to deliver change, posing a challenge for the new administration.
08 Questions answered
Her appointment makes her the first female prime minister in Morocco and only the second in the Arab world, marking a historic step for women's political leadership in the region.
She will need to form a coalition with other parties, but the Islamist Justice and Development Party has already said it will stay in opposition, complicating negotiations.
The government must address high unemployment, inflation, and the cost of living, while also preparing for the 2030 World Cup and managing low public trust in the political system.
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