AGP Executive Report

Portugal Football: Cristiano Ronaldo is back in Portugal’s squad for the UEFA Nations League under new coach Jorge Jesus, with matches starting Sept. 24 in Lisbon vs Wales, then Norway, Denmark and again Norway. FIFA Power Struggle: FIFA vice presidents from Europe and North America urge Gianni Infantino to pay national federations an extra $10m each after the World Cup, as they push to remove him over plans to sell tournament stakes to private investors. Public Safety Law: Kuwait’s embassy in Lisbon says Portugal’s new ban on face-covering clothing in public takes effect Sept. 23, with fines up to €3,000 and possible prison for forcing someone to conceal their face. Border Rules Watch: EU entry procedures are still uneven in practice for the Entry/Exit System, with Portugal among countries seeking flexibility, meaning travellers may face different checks depending on where they cross. Culture & Community: Queer Lisboa marks its 30th anniversary with a major LGBTQ film showcase in Lisbon, mixing new voices with a look back at past counterculture. Travel Disruption: Spain saw heavy summer flight disruption, with 40.6% of flights delayed or cancelled in July-August, according to passenger-rights analysis.

FIFA Power Struggle: UEFA and CONCACAF leaders Aleksander Ceferin and Victor Montagliani have urged FIFA chief Gianni Infantino to hand an extra $2.1bn to national federations, arguing FIFA can afford it after the World Cup—while pushing to remove Infantino over his failed plan to sell World Cup stakes to private investors. Portugal Football: New coach Jorge Jesus named Cristiano Ronaldo in Portugal’s Nations League squad, ending retirement speculation; Portugal open at home to Wales on Sept. 24, then face Norway and Denmark. Sports Diplomacy: FC Porto will launch its Dragon Force Academy in Sialkot, Pakistan, training young players and coaches through a partnership backed by the Portuguese embassy. Privacy & Compliance: Arrow Electronics is expanding its privacy offering in Portugal via a distribution deal with Usercentrics for Cookiebot CMP, helping firms manage consent rules under GDPR. Child Exploitation Probe: Europol’s victim identification task force has tentatively identified 18 abused children, geolocating 147 victims from 377 datasets. Portugal Church Abuse Allegations: A woman alleges long-term abuse by Fr. Marko Rupnik and says she hasn’t been contacted by Portuguese church authorities about a mosaic at Fatima.

Portugal Politics & Cost of Living: The government approved an €800m package with a one-off pension supplement for 2+ million pensioners and retroactive personal income tax cuts, aimed at easing fuel and living-cost pressure. EU Energy Debate: EU finance ministers will discuss an EU-wide windfall tax on energy firms as oil prices surge after attacks in the Middle East. Football—Portugal Squad: New coach Jorge Jesus named Cristiano Ronaldo in Portugal’s Nations League squad for matches against Wales, Norway and Denmark. Climate & Health: A new look at heat adaptation highlights how lowering emergency thresholds and targeted protections can cut heat-stroke hospitalisations. Travel Disruption: Strikes are expected to cause flight cancellations for weeks at Brussels South Charleroi airport, with Ryanair among the affected airlines. Sports—Europa League Spotlight: Celtic’s Europa League defeat to Ferencvaros has sparked backlash over Martin O’Neill’s tense TV interview with reporter Connie McLaughlin. Border Tech: South Korea released a list of 42 countries eligible for Smart Entry Gates, including Portugal.

EU Storm Recovery: The European Commission has proposed €489m from the EU Solidarity Fund to help Portugal, Spain, Italy and Malta recover from January–February 2026 storms, with Portugal set to receive €261m for rebuilding transport and restoring services. Aviation Update: Portuguese charter and private aviation operator OMNI Aviação has entered insolvency and had its air operator certificate suspended, according to reports. Israel Settlements Trade: UN experts called the UK’s new measures on goods from Israeli settlements a “potentially seismic shift,” praising the move and urging further action on military and economic links; the wider EU/partner effort includes Portugal. Portugal in Focus Abroad: A Ukrainian Putin critic, Pavlo Sadokha, was found dead in the Algarve and prosecutors are investigating amid fears of a Kremlin hit. Lisbon Business & Culture: Ennismore and Propreal Capital Partners signed Mama Shelter Porto, the brand’s debut in northern Portugal, opening in Porto Baixa. Sports (Portugal-linked): Europa League action included Torreense beating Lillestrom 2-1 in Portugal’s first group-stage match.

EU Storm Aid for Portugal: The European Commission proposes mobilising €489m from the EU Solidarity Fund to help Portugal, Spain, Italy and Malta recover from severe storms and flooding in Jan–Feb 2026. Portugal Border Rules: Brussels allows at least nine European countries, including France and Portugal, to delay full Entry/Exit System (EES) biometric checks until year-end. Electric Cars in Portugal: New data shows BEVs hit 30.5% of new car registrations across key European markets in August, with Portugal at 36.1% share. Lisbon Mobility Week: European Mobility Week (16–22 Sept) spotlights “Mobility for Everyone,” including Aveiro’s car-free day and senior mobility charter. Benfica vs Milan: Benfica beat AC Milan 2-0 in the Europa League, while Milan’s new coach Ruben Amorim faces early crisis questions. Portugal Football Talent: Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni keeps lighting up Liga Portugal with five goals and two assists in six appearances. F-35 Delivery via Azores: Finland’s first F-35A jets depart the US, with an Azores stop in Portugal before arrival in Rovaniemi. Energy Unrest: Rising oil and diesel prices linked to the Iran war are fuelling protests and strikes across multiple countries.

F1 Calendar Shock (Portugal): Formula 1 and the FIA unveiled the 2027 schedule: 24 Grands Prix across 22 countries, with a record 10 sprint weekends. The season starts in Bahrain on March 14 (after testing Feb 24–27) and returns to Portugal in June at Portimão. Monaco Twist: Monaco will host a sprint for the first time, with two qualifying sessions replacing Friday’s second practice—an unusual move for a track where overtaking is notoriously hard. Middle East Uncertainty: Bahrain and Saudi races are set despite ongoing war-related doubts, while Qatar and Abu Dhabi remain on the calendar with contingency planning. Local Community: Lisbon-area readers may also like the Hamilton School District’s Seniors & Students volunteer push for people 55+ to mentor pupils through school lunches and pen-pal letters. Sports Brief: Benfica’s likely XI and tactical risks were highlighted ahead of big European matches, with Pavlidis leading the attack and defensive pace flagged as the main concern.

Fuel Price Protests in Portugal: Skyrocketing fuel costs have sparked demonstrations in Portugal, as energy prices climb again amid the Iran-linked oil shock and wider global unrest. EU Border Rules: Nine EU countries, including Portugal, have delayed full Entry/Exit System (EES) biometric checks to keep airports running smoothly after earlier rollout problems. Portugal in the Spotlight Abroad: A Portuguese modernist classic by Fernando Pessoa’s heteronym Álvaro de Campos is being read aloud at UMass Dartmouth in a free bilingual event this week. Culture & Business: Airbnb says it will fund affordable housing after rent backlash, while a Portuguese-Brazilian film adaptation of “O Mistério do 5 Estrelas” is set to begin filming in São Paulo in October. Sports: Wales coach Craig Bellamy says he stayed with Wales instead of taking Burnley, and Portugal’s football presence continues to surface across European competitions.

NATO at Lisbon: Nato special forces tested new maritime tech at Bold Machina 26, including uncrewed surface vessels, underwater wireless charging and bioluminescent lights, with companies getting direct feedback. Aviation in Portugal: Infrastructure Minister Miguel Pinto Luz opened GSE Expo Europe 2026 in Lisbon, spotlighting electrification, autonomous ground support and digital fleet management at FIL. Travel rules shake-up: The EU’s EES biometric border system is still causing delays, and reports say Portugal is among nine countries allowed to keep delaying full rollout. EU travel list: An official source published 29 countries whose citizens won’t need EES registration, with Ireland and Cyprus also exempt. Lisbon flights: Brussels Airport reported 2.52M passengers in August, with Portugal among the busiest countries. Sports calendar: UEFA confirmed Munich’s Allianz Arena will host the 2028 Champions League final and Barcelona’s Camp Nou the 2029 final. Portugal-linked business: Natixis said Etienne Huret will coordinate its Expertise Centers across Portugal and India.

Europa League Kickoff: Benfica are among the 32 teams starting the Europa League league phase this week, with Juventus and AC Milan listed as top favourites and Portuguese second-division side Torreense also in the mix. Lisbon & Portugal Security: Portugal’s foreign minister Paulo Rangel denounced “strangulation” of the West Bank as Israeli settlement expansion blocks the two-state solution, while Lisbon’s OSHP-style local policing item saw an Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper promoted at the Lisbon post. EU Border Rules: The EU’s Entry/Exit System biometric rollout is again delayed as nine Schengen countries—including France and Portugal—seek more time to fix technical issues and keep borders “fluid.” Crypto & Residency: Portugal’s crypto tax stance is described as relatively favourable, but tied to specific conditions, with the D8 digital nomad visa flagged as a practical residency route for crypto professionals. Portugal in the Spotlight Abroad: Azerbaijan Airlines named Mario Chaves CEO of its passenger unit, and Portugal’s Moises Henriques is set to represent Portugal after a long Australian cricket career. Human Stories: A New Lisbon man faces charges after a teen alleges repeated sexual assault as a child.

Portugal-EU Travel Rules: The EU has quietly extended flexibility for the Entry-Exit System (EES) rollout after the Sept. 6 grace period, meaning some countries (including France, Italy, Portugal and Germany) may delay strict biometric checks while others—like Spain—appear to be left out. EU Economy Watch: A new Xinhua roundup says southern eurozone economies including Spain and Portugal are showing renewed resilience despite a slower eurozone outlook. Aviation & Green Ground Ops: Eternity Technologies says it has finished certifying electric GSE charging across 41 Aena airports in Spain, while HiSERV expands in Spain and Portugal via TOP GSE integration. Maritime Tensions: Iran’s Hormuz authority updated its blacklist and warned insurers not to service listed ships. Sports & Portugal Links: Cristiano Ronaldo again called for lifetime stadium bans after “Jota” chants aimed at Portugal’s Ruben Neves; meanwhile, Mourinho praised Real Madrid’s Arda Güler ahead of Elche. Lisbon Local: Lisbon first responders helped deliver a healthy baby boy. EU Transport Data: Eurostat reports EU rail freight performance fell 1.8% in 2025, with Portugal up 8.4%.

EU Sanctions on West Bank Settlements: The UK says it will ban goods and target firms and individuals tied to illegal Israeli settlement expansion, with France and Canada following suit. Portugal Migration Watch: Portugal’s Public Security Police warn of rising irregular migrants arriving by bus and train into Lisbon and Porto, with more mobile checks planned. Football—Ronaldo vs Jota Chants: Cristiano Ronaldo urges lifetime stadium bans for supporters who taunted Ruben Neves with chants about the late Diogo Jota; Neves reacted angrily after the incident. Benfica Momentum: Benfica beat Gil Vicente 3-1 with late goals, keeping pressure on Porto and Benfica’s rivals. Sporting Slip in Famalicão: Ten-man Famalicão snatched a stoppage-time equaliser to draw 1-1 with Sporting. EU Farm Prices: Eurostat reports EU agricultural output prices down 5.8% year-on-year in Q2 2026 as input costs rise. Lisbon Safety: Ambulance crews in Lisbon helped deliver a healthy baby boy. EU Border Tech Delay: Portugal is among countries reportedly allowed to delay the entry-exit system to keep border flow moving.

EU Border Rules: France and eight other Schengen states have been allowed to delay full rollout of the Entry/Exit System (EES) biometric checks, citing border “fluidity” and tech limits—Portugal is among the countries named. Middle East Trade Sanctions: The UK’s move to ban goods from illegal Israeli settlements is now spreading: France and Canada have joined, alongside a wider coalition including Portugal, with sanctions aimed at firms and services tied to settlement expansion. Portugal in the Spotlight: Portugal is also listed among the countries backing settlement trade restrictions, while the wider debate keeps heating up around West Bank “settler violence” and settlement expansion. Sports & Lisbon Connections: Ruben Neves hit back at Saudi Pro League fans who chanted late Diogo Jota’s name, and the week’s Portugal-linked sports coverage continues with major matchday listings and VAR appointments. Maritime Rescue: RNLI reports a dramatic seven-hour rescue after a yacht collided with a fish farm off Antrim while travelling from Oban to Portugal.

EU Sanctions on West Bank Settlements: The UK says it will ban goods from illegal Israeli settlements and target specific companies and individuals tied to settlement expansion; France and Canada have now joined, with France pledging to end trade with settlements alongside 11 other countries. Portugal Wildfire Plan: Portugal is urging the EU to fund livestock grazing (goats, cows, sheep) to cut wildfire risk, arguing the Common Agricultural Policy should help rural areas adapt to extreme drought and fires. Football—Bernardo Silva & Mourinho: Bernardo Silva says Mourinho wants him to help “build the play” and add fluidity after Real Madrid’s 4-1 win over Rayo Vallecano. Football—Rúben Neves Controversy: Neves hit back at Al-Taawoun fans who chanted the name of his late friend Diogo Jota, saying he hopes they “do not go to prayer.” Sporting Results: Porto beat Casa Pia 4-1 to extend a strong Liga Portugal run. Rescue Off Northern Ireland: RNLI volunteers rescued six people after a 46ft yacht lost power and steering after hitting a fish farm, trapped in cages in gale-force winds.

Middle East Trade Sanctions: The UK will ban imports of goods from illegal Israeli settlements and sanction firms and individuals tied to settlement expansion, with France and Canada following suit in a widening coalition. World Cup 2030 Venue Fight: FIFA says no decision has been made yet on where the 2030 final will be held, despite Morocco’s federation chief claiming Benslimane; Jose Mourinho says he’d like it in Lisbon. Portugal Wildfire Plan: Portugal wants EU funding to pay for grazing goats, sheep and cows in high-risk wildfire zones to clear flammable shrubbery. Lisbon Safety Update: A motorcyclist is in serious condition after an overnight crash on Paper Mill Road, with the road briefly closed. Ronaldo Money Buzz: Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly earning about €3.3m per sponsored Instagram post. Visa/Travel Rules: The US published ESTA guidance for citizens of 42 countries, and Australia released the full list of 30 countries eligible for its First Work and Holiday visa (including Portugal).

Telecom Resilience Rules: Portugal has started a public consultation on new cybersecurity and resilience requirements for telecom networks, aiming to strengthen protection under EU NIS2 rules. Energy & Industry: EDP and Paper Prime launched a 2.7MW electric boiler in Vila Velha de Rodão to cut natural gas use for industrial steam and reduce exposure to energy price swings. Insolvency Watch: BDO has been brought in to oversee the insolvency of Solara4, Portugal’s largest solar facility in the Algarve, after the €175m project failed to earn enough to cover debts. Media & Payments: Portugal’s pay-TV market grew slightly in Q2 to 4.7m subscribers, with fibre-optic now driving most connections. Culture & Film: The Ji.hlava New Visions Forum selected 28 European and international documentary projects, including several focused on history, memory and political divides. Travel: A new report ranks Malaysia as the world’s top retirement destination for 2026, ahead of Portugal. Sports: Portugal’s football scene also featured a Benfica-linked youth story, while elsewhere the week included major Champions League and derby coverage.